Jan. 30, 2008

Stockton, Calif. - The Pacific women's water polo team opened their 2008 season with a 14-3 loss to No. 5 Cal on Jan. 30 at Chris Kjeldsen Pool in Stockton, Calif. With the loss the Tigers fell to 0-1 on the season, while the Golden Bears advanced to a perfect 2-0 to start their 2008 campaign.

Despite trailing for most of the game, the Tigers were the first to get on the board in the contest as senior Kellie Fletcher (Roseville, Calif.) netted the first goal of the game and Pacific's first goal of the season just 1:16 into the first period. Cal answered back quickly though, as they scored 13 of the next 14 goals in the contest to take control of the game early.

The second period was highlighted by a goal scored by Courtney Boettger (Stockton, Calif.) for the Tigers just 1:32 into the period. In addition to being Courtney's first career goal at Pacific, it was also an important goal as it brought the Tigers within two goals of Cal with six minutes left to play in the half. However, Cal would later score three more goals in the period.

After trailing the Golden Bears 7-2 at the half, the Tigers went on to give up three more goals in the third period. Cal's offense was led by Molly Hayes and Grace Reynolds, who each scored three goals a piece in the game. However, eight total girls would score for the Golden Bears on the evening.

At the end of the fourth period, Fletcher added her second goal of the game with just 3:20 left to play. While Fletcher led the offensive charge for the Tigers, Jocelyn Gray (Strathmore, Alberta, Canada) anchored the defense in the contest as she recorded an impressive 14 saves on the night. Despite only recording five saves for Cal, Heather Stuart and the Golden Bears came away with the 14-3 victory.

The Pacific women's water polo team will next be in action on Feb. 3, when they will take on San Jose State at 12:00 p.m. in San Jose, Calif. They will then return home for a match against Hawaii on Feb. 6 at 4:00 p.m.

Pacific: 1 - 1 - 0 - 1 = 3

Cal: 3 - 4 - 3 - 4 = 14

Pacific Goals: Kellie Fletcher - 2, Courtney Boettger - 1

Cal Goals: Molly Hayes - 3, Grace Reynolds - 3, Julie Oreglia - 2, Darby Anderson - 2, Erin Scully - 1, Remy Champion - 1, Meghan Corso - 1, Katya Eadington - 1

Pacific Saves: Jocelyn Gray - 14

Cal Saves: Heather Stuart - 5