Sept. 23, 2005

Box Score

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Tigers strengthened their hold on first place in the NorPac Conference standings Friday, Sept. 23 as they defeated Cal 2-1 at Brookside Field.

The win was Pacific's second in a row and the first time they defeated Cal in Stockton since a 1-0 victory in 1998.

Both teams started off slow, shooting a combined four shots in the first half with Cal scoring the games opening goal with just under five minutes to go. Missy Crane netted Cal's only goal off an assist from Andrea Lo.

"We were a little slow in the first half," said Pacific head coach Linda MacDonald. "In the second half we became more aggressive and did a better job in the circle. The intensity we showed in the second half is the kind of intensity that we haven't gotten for a whole game."

Pacific's Natalie Purcell (San Diego, Calif.) got the Tigers on the board midway through the second half off an assist from junior Vianney Campos (Guadalajara, Mexico). Cal threatened with more than eight minutes to go in the game as Chilly Banuelos attempted a penalty shot for the Bears that was deflected by sophomore goalkeeper Valerie Niles (San Jose, Calif.).

"After my goal it seemed like we put it all in perspective and we put in a little extra effort out there," said Purcell. "We played hard and we deserved to get the win."

The Tigers then moved the ball downfield until Campos found Marissa Atilano (Escondido, Calif.), who in turn scored the game-winner with 8:06 to go.

The Tigers finished out the game with eight shots to Cal's 14 and only six penalty corners to the Bears' nine. Both goalies recorded three saves, all coming in the second half.

"One of our initial goals going into the season was to get that first round bye in the conference tournament and beating a team like Cal certainly helps us in that aspect," said MacDonald.

The win puts the Tigers at 4-5 overall and 2-0 in the NorPac Conference. Pacific will be back in action Sunday, Sept. 25 as they play Stanford at home in a non-conference match-up.