Oct. 19, 2008

Box Score

Northridge, Calif. - Despite scoring first, it was two second half goals for the Matadors that cost the Pacific soccer team a road victory, falling to Cal State Northridge, 2-1, on Sunday, October 19. The loss dropped the Tigers to 8-6-1 overall and 3-2-1 (10 points) in conference play while the Matadors improved to 7-7-1 overall and 2-2-0 (six points) in the Big West.

Despite dominating play throughout the first 45 minutes of action, including holding an 8-to-1 advantage in shots in the half, the Tigers could not find their scoring rhythm, missing all eight chances in the half.

With the shot advantage on their side, the Tigers came out of the break itching for a score. They would scratch their itch just six minutes into the half on a goal by freshman Alex Topp (San Diego, Calif.). Off of a free kick inside of the Matadors' half, sophomore Kylee Ah Choy (Mililani, Hawaii ) sent a lofted ball into the box in search of one of her teammates. Standing on the other side of the ball, Topp used her height to outjump her opponents, rising up to flick Ah Choy's pass past the Matadors' 'keeper to give the Tigers the one goal advantage.

The goal was the second of the season for Topp while the assist was Ah Choy's second of the year and marked the third point of the weekend for the sophomore defender.

Up one goal and with the momentum on their side the Tigers appeared to be in complete control of the contest and on their way to another road conference victory. However, all would change for Pacific in the 69th minute of action when a Matador free kick was inadvertently headed into their own goal by the Tigers' defense.

Reenergized by the Tigers mistake, the Matadors went on the attack pressing the Tigers defense for the final 21 minutes of the contest until finding a crack with just three minutes to play. After earning two straight corners that were turned away by the Tigers, the Matadors picked up a third corner kick attempt in the 87th minute of play, making good on the free ball to steal away the victory. Nancy Avesyan picked up the game-winning strike for the Matadors after collecting a ricocheting ball in the box off the corner and slotting home her strike on the left side of the goal.

The Matadors held a 7-to-1 corner advantage on the Tigers in the second half, while posting an 8-to-2 advantage for the game. Pacific outshot Cal State Northridge, 15-to-14 for the afternoon.

The Tigers will be back in action on Friday, October 24, when they play host to Cal Poly at Stagg Memorial Stadium in Big West Conference play. The game is scheduled for 7:00 pm.