Oct. 5, 2008
Long Beach, Calif. - On the road for the second time in as many games, the Pacific women's soccer team dropped its first Big West Conference game of the season, falling 2-1, to Long Beach State on Sunday, October 5. The loss dropped the Tigers to 6-5-0 overall and 1-1-0 in conference play while the 49ers improved to 8-3-2 on the year and 2-0-0 in the Big West.
In an evenly matched contest between two of the top teams in the conference going into the weekend, the Tigers came up just short of picking up their second road win of week as the 49ers were able to pick up goals in each half to earn the win.
The 49ers jumped ahead of the Tigers early in the contest, getting their first goal of the game in the 13th minute of action on a goal by Hayley Bolt. After a long throw in by Chantel Hubbard got loose inside of Pacific's box, Sahar Haghdan put a shot on goal with an attempted bicycle kick that was blocked by the Tigers, only to find the foot of Bolt in front of the net. Bolt took the chance and put the 49ers ahead by a single goal just 12:18 into the contest.
After playing even throughout the rest of the half, the 49ers got a second strike just 12 minutes into the second half, adding a crucial insurance goal that would prove to be the difference in the game. Playing along the top of the 18, the 2006 Conference Player of the Year, Kim Silos, found herself with just enough cushion from the Tigers' defense to fire off a left-footed strike across the box towards the back post and into the back of the net.
With a two goal deficit, the Tigers got one goal back just eight minutes later on freshman Kristina Wavomba's (Encinitas, Calif.) team-leading fifth goal of the season. After a foul was awarded to the Tigers deep in 49er territory, sophomore Kylee Ah Choy (Mililani, Hawaii) sent a free kick into the box finding the head of Wavomba for Pacific's first and only strike of the contest.
The Tigers had their chances down the stretch to tie the game with none better coming from freshman Laura Hogan (Poway, Calif.) who found herself 1v2 with the keeper with under 10 miunutes to play in the contest. However, as her shot found the back of the net, the side official raised his flag, calling the Tigers for offsides.
Defensively, Pacific played a strong game with redshirt-freshman Amanda McNab (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) picking up 11 saves on the day. Sophomore Natalie Wong (Mililani, Hawaii) picked up a defensive save with 15 minutes to play in the game, clearing out a would be goal from the line to keep Pacific within striking distance.
Pacific's goal was its first on the road at Long Beach since the 2000 season. The loss marked the fourth straight season the Tigers have fallen to the 49ers.
The Tigers will be back in action on Friday, October 10 as they host Cal State Fullerton in Big West play at Stagg Memorial Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
