Aug. 24, 2007

Box Score

Moraga, Calif. - Returning to the field for the first time since tearing her ACL midway through her freshman season, sophomore Alysse Valenzuela (Stockton, Calif.) was back in top form as her 69th minute strike put Pacific ahead to stay against St. Mary's in exhibition action on Friday, August 24. The Tigers took down the Gaels 2-1 in their only preseason game of 2007.

Despite controlling the play for much of the first half the Tigers found themselves down one goal as they headed into halftime. Pacific held a 5-to-3 shot advantage in the first half, but at times seemed reluctant to pressure the Gaels' on the offensive end in their first live action of 2007. With the lack of pressure St. Mary's was able to take advantage of their limited opportunities as Jessica Menzhuber netted the first goal of the game for the Gaels' when she was able to sneak free behind the Tigers' backline, staying just onsides as Pacific tried to execute an offsides trap.

After making adjustments at the halftime break, Pacific came out flying in the final 45 minutes to rally back from their early deficit. Pressuring the offensive third, the Tigers held an 8-to-2 shot advantage in the second half of the contest while racking up an impressive six corner kicks. With the momentum swinging back to their side the Tigers knotted up the contest at one goal a piece on a strike by senior Carla Vellutini (Elk Grove, Calif.) in the 60th minute. With the Vellutini streaking down the left side of the field, senior Mandi Van Dorn (Danville, Calif.) led a perfect through ball to her feet from which she chipped the on rushing 'keeper for the first Tiger goal of the game.

With a new energy and a new game even at 1-1, the Tigers wasted little time claiming the lead in the contest as Valenzuela notched what would be the game-winner just nine minutes later. With constant pressure on the Gaels' defenders it was only a matter of time until the defense cracked for a second time. To setup the goal, Valenzuela created a mistake from the St. Mary's defense as she forced an errant back pass from a St. Mary's defender towards the goal. With the ball loose in front of St. Mary's goal, Valenzuela showed off her speed as she beat both the defender and the Gaels' netminder to the loose ball, sending the ball into the back of the net with a well executed slide.

The Tigers will begin the 2007 regular season on Friday, August 31 as they host Mount St. Mary's at Stagg Memorial Stadium at 7:00 pm. Pacific will be hosting community night at the game in which all admissions are free for the evening. In addition there will be games and free give aways for all those in attendance.