Aug. 25, 2006

Box Score

Stockton, Calif. - A volley off the right foot of junior Mandi Van Dorn (Danville, Calif.) in the 15th minute led the Pacific women's soccer team to a season opening 1-0 win over the Portland State Vikings on Friday, August 25. The game was played in front of 869 fans as Pacific hosted community night, setting a new single game record for the Tigers' program, surpassing the previous mark of 748 set in Pacific's NCAA tournament game against Cal on Nov. 11, 1998.

Behind an overwhelming attack and a dominating defense, the Tigers opened up their 2006 season with 1-0 victory, moving their home opening game record to a perfect 5-0-0 and their overall opening record to 7-6-1 all-time.

With much of the action concentrated in the second half, the lone strike of the evening came early at the 14:56 mark of the first half as the Tigers' attack broke through the Vikings' defense. Pressing into the 18 yard box and drawing multiple defenders, senior Carmen Padilla (San Jose, Calif.) threaded a pass into the middle of the attack to the waiting foot of Van Dorn who promptly volleyed a shot past the outstretched arms of Portland State's 'keeper and into the back of the net. The assist was the first points for Padilla as she made the most of her return from a midsummer knee surgery that sidelined her for the entire preseason.

Despite just a one goal advantage, the Tigers' defense held the lead throughout the second half as they suffocated the Vikings' attack, relinquishing just two shots after the midpoint. On the night, the Tigers' outshot the Vikings 27-11 overall despite each teaming entering the break with nine shots apiece. In goal, junior Jaime Souza (Gig Harbor, Wash.) made seven saves including a diving stop on a bending free kick that appeared to be heading into the bottom left corner of the goal late in the first half. Her counterpart in goal, Cris Lewis, made eight saves on the night for the Vikings.

The Tigers defeated the Vikings by the score of 5-0 to open the 2005 season on Aug. 26.

Pacific will next be in action on Sunday, Aug. 27, as they play host to Long Island University at Stagg Memorial Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 12:00 pm.