Sept. 19, 2006
Box Score
Fresno, Calif. - The Pacific women's soccer team defeated No. 22 Fresno State, 2-1, on Tuesday, Sept. 19. With the win the Tigers moved to 6-1-1 on the season, while Fresno State fell to 5-2-1.
The win extended Pacific's unbeaten streak away from home this season to five games as the Tigers are 3-0 on the road and 1-0-1 in neutral site games. The win also ended the Bulldogs home winning streak as Fresno State entered the game 4-0-0 at home this season.
The Tigers accounted for all the scoring as Pacific gave Fresno State a 1-0 lead with 14:52 remaining in the first half as Pacific freshman Chelsea Gomes (Coto de Caza, Calif.) inadvertently deflected a crossing pass by Fresno State's Andrea Salvador into the back of the net. Salvador was credited with the goal, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.
The deficit seemed to fire up the Tigers as just moments after Fresno State took the lead, senior Catherine Betts (Piedmont, Calif.) directed a crossing pass from freshman Alysse Valenzuela (Stockton, Calif.) toward the left post to tie the game with 11:36 remaining in the half.
The Tigers first half momemtum carried over to the second half as Pacific took advantage of one of their inital second half opportunities when senior Kelsey Nagel (Lynwood, Wash.) punched in a goal just four minutes into the second half. Nagel scored the game winning goal as she came sliding toward the box and nailed a redirection of a blocked shot by Fresno State's Angie Larsen. Pacific junior Mandi Van Dorn (Danville, Calif.) and senior Suzy Peterson (Granite Bay, Calif.) set up the Pacific goal as Peterson sent a free kick to Van Dorn, who rifled it toward Fresno State's Larsen. The block floated perfectly into position for Nagel.
With the lead in hand, the Tigers showed how they held their first six opponents scoreless this season as Pacific held off a furious Fresno State attack to claim the 2-1 win.
Pacific outshot the Bulldogs 16-9 in the victory. Pacific junior goalie Jaime Souza (Gig Harbor, Wash.) made five saves in the win, while Larsen recorded eight saves.
The victory over Fresno State marked the first time since 1998 that Pacific has defeated a ranked opponent as the Tigers defeated Cal, 2-1, in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.
The Tigers will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 22 as Pacific hosts San Jose State at 7 p.m. in Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium.
