Tigers Return to the Pitch at UC Riverside Sunday

VIDEO: Keith Coleman previews UC Riverside

Stockton, Calif. – The Pacific Tigers, fresh off their win over No. 18 UC Irvine, return to Big West action with a Sunday contest at UC Riverside at 1 p.m.

At 1-0-1 in Big West play, the Tigers sit in second place after the first weekend of conference play.

"This is a tough game," head coach Keith Coleman said. "It's a different surface than we're used to. But it's not uncommon at the club level. There's a little bit different bounce, but I don't think it's something that should change anything that we do or the way we want to play the game."

Pacific's 3-2 win over UC Irvine came in overtime, as Big West Player of the Week Alex Topp scored her second goal of the weekend 5:11 into overtime to give the Tigers the three points. The Tigers took a 1-0 lead on a goal by senior Nydia Ramos, a strike that was nominated for Big West Play of the Week after bending it into the far corner from outside the box. After the Anteaters answered with a pair of goals, one via penalty kick, the Tigers tied the game with 15 minutes remaining as senior Laura Hogan blasted one off the keeper's hands and into the far corner.

Topp, who also tallied a goal in the Tigers' 1-1 draw against Cal State Northridge, earned the conference's Offensive Player of the Week honors as she increased her season goal total to five and her career total to 11.

"It was a great moment for our team," Coleman said of the Irvine victory "We were realizing some of the things we have believed. We believe we have a team that's capable of beating anyone if we play our best. The biggest thing it does for us is gives us an opportunity, to now go and put ourselves in an even better position week-by-week for the Big West tournament. But you're only as good as your last game. and there's a long way to go in the season. And if we want to put ourselves in a good position, we have to keep winning. The training this week was to get better, and based on 'what have you done to win the Big West this week'?"

Pacific (7-4-1 overall), takes on a UC Riverside team that opened Big West play Thursday with a 4-1 loss to UC Davis. The Highlanders are 5-6-1 overall with four one-goal losses. Riverside has tallied 14 goals on the season, seventh among Big West teams, while allowing 14 (fifth in the Big West). The Highlanders have a balanced attack with five players posting two or more goals.

Tigers senior Kristina Wavomba continues to lead the team with seven goals on the season, second in the Big West, while Topp sits tied for eighth with her five.

Highlander goalkeeper Jessica Olafsen and Tigers sophomore netminder Tashia Long sit fourth and fifth in the Big West in goals against average, with Long trailing Olafsen, 1.18 to 1.22. Long leads the conference with six shutouts.

Following the contest, the Tigers will face UC Davis on the road (Thursday, Oct. 13) before returning home on Oct. 21 against UC Santa Barbara.