Oct. 6, 2006

Box Score

Stockton, Calif. - Despite a furious battle down the stretch, the Pacific women's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to Cal State Fullerton on Friday, Oct. 6.

With the loss the Tigers fell to 8-3-1 overall and 0-2 in the Big West Conference, while Cal State Fullerton moved to 6-5-1 on the season and 2-0 in conference play. The second consecutive loss is the first time this season the Tigers have lost back-to-back games this season.

A quick start by the Titans forced the Tigers back into their defensive half for much of the first half as Cal State Fullerton was able to pressure Pacific's defense into giving up two early goals. Earning a corner kick, the Titans' Candice Byler played a ball into the Tigers' box that found the awaiting foot of Erica Janke who deflected the pass into the goal for the opening strike just over six minutes into the game.

Still reeling from the first strike, the Tigers gave up a second tally just four minutes later, this time to Brianna Buffington. Buffington received the ball at the top of the box before spinning around her defender a hitting a low dribble off the far left post, banking in what would be the eventual game-winner.

Down two, the Tigers went on the offensive, pushing back into the offensive third to force the action. Controlling play, senior Carmen Padilla (San Jose, Calif.) got the Tigers on the board and back into the game with her second goal of the season in the 23rd minute. Playing out wide, junior defender Alisha Bledsoe (Valley Springs, Calif.) threaded a ball into the streaking Padilla who beat the Titans' 'keeper, Karen Bardsley, to the ball, pushing in the goal. The assist was Bledsoe's first career assist and first career point.

Down one at the break, the Tigers came out firing in the second half, outshooting the Titan's 12-to-3 over the final 45 minutes. Despite the lopsided numbers, Cal State Fullerton's defense held to preserve the victory. The Tigers' best chance of the second half came with just over 10 minutes to play as both Padilla and junior Bunny Dickson (Millbrae, Calif.) had clean looks at the net but Padilla's strike was saved by a Titan defender on the line and the corresponding rebound and shot was knocked away by Bardsley on a diving cross body save.

Overall, the Tigers outshot the Titans 15-to-7 with Bardsley tallying four saves on the night for Cal State Fullerton.

The Tigers return to the field on Sunday, Oct. 8 as Pacific hosts UC Riverside at 12 p.m.