Oct. 14, 2005

Box Score

Stockton, Calif. - The Pacific women's soccer team struck into the conference win column on Friday, October 14, defeating Cal State Northridge, 2-1, in front of a home crowd at Stagg Memorial Stadium. With the win the Tigers moved to 8-6-1 overall and 1-3-0 in Big West play while the Matadors dropped to 10-4-0 overall and 2-3-0 in the conference.

Needing a win, the Tigers responded with an inspired performance that notched them two goals on the night and a win in conference play. Despite a game marred with seven cards and 28 fouls, the Tigers were able to overcome the rough play to net the victory.

The Tigers had chances throughout the first half to score on Cal State Northridge's defense but none better than in the 19th minute of the game when sophomore Bunny Dickson (Millbrae, Calif.) found herself with a look at an empty net after beating the Matador's 'keeper to a loose ball. However, Dickson was unable to get a shot off as she was pulled down from behind just outside of the penalty box. The foul resulted in the red card ejection of Julie Hauserman, giving the Tigers a player advantage for the rest of the game.

With the intensity and rough play picking up, the Tigers struck first in the game as they were able to take advantage of a Matador foul that setup the first goal. On the ensuing free kick, junior Kelsey Nagel (Lynnwood, Wash.) fired a shot over the head of April Cline, Cal State Northridge's `keeper, which nearly found the back of the net but instead hit the corner of the crossbar. Off the rebound, junior Catherine Betts (Piedmont, Calif.) took advantage of being in the right place at the right time as she headed and redirected the rebound past Cline for the Tigers' first goal of the game. The goal was Betts' second goal of the season while the assist from the original shot was Nagel's third of the year.

Heading into the second half with a one goal advantage, the Tigers looked to pack on some insurance as they looked for the win. Dickson got her revenge for the early foul in the game just three minutes into the second half as she once again found herself free inside the Matador's defense. Once more, Dickson drew a foul from Cal State Northridge, however the foul was committed inside of the Matador's penalty box resulting in a penalty kick opportunity for the Tigers. Dickson wasted no time notching the second goal of the game for the Tigers as she caused Cline to guess wrong, and dive the opposite direction. The goal was Dickson's third of the season and her second goal in two games.

With a two goal lead, the game once again picked up in intensity and aggression as three yellow cards were given out in the final 20 minutes. With a pressing counterattack, the Matadors were able to net a late goal against the Tigers as Tryna Tafoya scored off of a cross from the right side from Kristy Krohn.

Defensively, sophomore Jaime Souza (Gig Harbor, Wash.) was forced to make just two saves on three shots on goal as her wall of defenders, sophomore Alisha Bledsoe (Valley Springs, Calif.), sophomore Montez Harrison (Oakland, Calif.) and Nagel did a solid job of shutting down the Matador's attack. Cline made two saves on the night for Cal State Northridge while the defense of the Matador's picked up a team save on the night as Dickson nearly notched her second goal of the game.

The Tigers will next be in action on Sunday, October 16, as they play host to the Anteaters of UC Irvine. Game time is scheduled for 12:00 pm.