Aug. 26, 2005

Final Stats

Stockton, Calif. - The Pacific women's soccer team jumped into the win column in 2005 taking their season opener versus Portland State, 5-0, on Friday, August 26. The Tigers burst through offensively firing off 26 shots on the night while holding the Vikings to just five shots.

The Tigers dominated early and often from the opening whistle, controlling the flow of the game offensively while shutting down Portland State defensively. After attacking the net for much of the first half, the Tigers were able to break through in the 36th minute to take the early lead. Junior Catherine Betts (Piedmont, Calif.) wasted no time endearing herself to the hometown Pacific fans as she redirected junior Carmen Padilla's (San Jose, Calif.) cross for her first goal of the season and her first goal as a Tiger.

Pacific took the one goal lead into the half despite having multiple chances to add more. From the beginning of the second half, the Tigers continued to push the Vikings defense. Sophomore Mandi Van Dorn (Danville, Calif.) continued her offensive dominance from last spring as she netted the Tigers' second goal just two minutes into the second half. Van Dorn was set up by Padilla on the play.

13 minutes later, sophomore Bunny Dickson (Millbrae, Calif.) got into the action with her first goal of the season as she took a pass from Padilla at the top of the box and directed a well-placed ball into the back of the net. Padilla completed her assists hat-trick on the play as she finished the game with three assists and four shots.

Up three goals to none, the Tigers continued to press offensively and were rewarded with two more goals. Van Dorn netted her second goal of the game in the 73rd minute on an unassisted strike from the top of the box. Junior Jennifer Smiley (Carmichael, Calif.) netted her first goal of the season and second of her career in the 86th minute, banking a ball off of the crossbar into the goal.

Enabling the offense to excel, the Tigers' defense dominated all 90 minutes of the contest, holding the Vikings to five total shots. Junior Laura Guerin (Swampscott, Mass.) earned her third career shutout on the night as she posted four impressive saves. Pacific's defensive unit also picked up a team save on the night, pushing out a deflected corner kick that tried to sneak in the bottom corner.

The Tigers will look to continue their offensive explosion on Sunday, August 28, as they take on the University of San Francisco at Stagg Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 12:00 pm.