Aug. 15, 2006
Stockton, Calif. - Behind an offensive attack that saw the Tigers take 32 shots, the Pacific women's soccer team posted a 4-1 win over the visiting Chico State Wildcats on Tuesday, August 15. The win was the Tigers' first of the exhibition season, coming in their second tune-up game of 2006.
From the outset, the Tigers dominated play and controlled the field and tempo with sharp passing and strong runs into the Wildcats' defensive half to create a number of scoring opportunities. With control the Tigers struck first as sophomore Andrea Carrara (Belmont, Calif.) netted in the 39th minute, cleaning up a loose ball that came off a deflected shot by senior Kelsey Nagel (Lynnwood, Wash.). The goal would be the only strike of the first half as the Tigers headed into the break with the one goal advantage.
Out of the break the action quickly picked up for both sides as Pacific need just eight minutes to notch their second goal of the game, one that would prove to be the game-winnner. Breaking free down the right side, junior Bunny Dickson (Millbrae, Calif.) crossed up the Wildcat's 'keeper with a low crossing shot that banked off the left post and into the back of the net. Despite the constant pressure by the Tigers' offense, the Wildcats continued to push offensively as well, eventually breaking through with a response less than a minute later as Heather Gravett netted a deflected save to bring the Wildcats' within one.
From that point, Pacific increased their offensive pressure posting 17 shots that resulted in two insurance goals. A brilliant give and go led to Dickson scoring her second goal of the night coming off a pass from fellow junior Mandi Van Dorn (Danville, Calif.) in the 70th minute. The Tigers capped the night with an unassisted goal from junior Montez Harrison (Oakland, Calif.) in the 84th minute as she took advantage of being in the right place at the right time, firing in a shot off a loose ball in front of the net off of a Pacific corner.
On the night, the Tigers outshot the Wildcats 32-9. In goal, sophomore Ashley Stubblefield (Stockton, Calif.) came up big for the Tigers in her first true experience in net. In all she posted three saves while her counterpart, Kari Gonzales posted 10 saves, including some brilliant punch saves that just cleared the crossbar.
The Tigers close out their exhibition season with a friendly match against the Yokosuka Seagulls on Sunday, August 20. The game is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
