Aug. 22, 2008
Box Score
Stockton, Calif. - Behind a strong attack and feverish defense, the Pacific women's soccer team picked up a win in their 2008 season opener, downing Sacramento State, 2-0, on Friday, August 22. Both of the Tigers strikes came in the second half of play, netting goals in the 59th and 82nd minutes.
Freshman Angelica Figueroa (Linden, Calif.) wasted no time introducing herself to the collegiate world of soccer, assisting on the Tigers' first strike of the night before setting up Pacific's second insurance goal. Sophomore Sammi Teramae (Kapolei, Hawaii) tallied three points on the night, notching the first goal of 2008 while picking up an assist on the second goal of the night. Freshman Kristina Wavomba (Encinitas, Calif.) got in on the action as well, netting her first collegiate goal.
Playing in the first game that counted for 2008, the Tigers came out a step slower than their Northern California rival, allowing the Hornets to dictate the pace of the game and control the flow of the ball throughout the first 45 minutes of action. However, despite constant pressure in their defensive third, the Tigers only relinquished five shots in the first half, narrowly giving up the shooting advantage to Sacramento State as they posted four in the half. Additionally, the Tigers fought off a pair of corner kicks and a bevy of set pieces, off of nine Pacific fouls, to come out of the half with a 0-0 draw.
Along with a new half came a new energy for the Tigers as they reversed their fortunes from the previous 45 minutes to take control of the game in the second half of action. With the midfield controlling the ball through Figueroa and senior Laura King (Livermore, Calif.), the Tigers were able to go on the offensive, pressing the Hornet defense until it finally cracked in the 59th minute.
With the run of play going up the right side of the field the Tigers saw their first golden scoring opportunity of the night with Figueroa in control of the ball. Nearing the baseline, Figueroa looked for help in the middle of the field, finding Teramae in the center of the Hornets' 18. With her back to the goal and the ball played to her feet, Teramae spun towards goal and fired a shot past Jenny Lawrence at the near post, hitting the back of the net for her first tally of the new season.
Up one goal, Figueroa and Teramae were not done yet, turning up the pressure on the defense even further until it cracked for the second and final time of the night. 23 minutes after posting the first goal of the new year, the duo set up Wavomba for her first strike in her first Division I contest. Playing the ball through the center of the field, Figueroa picked out a hole in the defense and threaded a ball from the top of the box to the right baseline for Teramae to run down. Again with the ball in a dangerous position, Teramae played the ball back into the middle of the box were Wavomba was able to track the pass down and slot home a shot into the middle of the net for the Tigers' second strike of the night,
Even up two goals with just under nine minutes to play the Tigers were not able to rest easy as the Hornets attack ferociously throughout the final minutes of play looking to climb back into the game. Despite the attack, the Tigers' defense held strong, led in the back by redshirt-freshman Amanda McNab (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) who was making her first collegiate start. Facing nine shots in total throughout the night, McNab rose to the occasion, picking up five saves to preserve the Tigers' clean sheet, picking up her first career shutout.
The win ran the Tigers' record against Sacramento State to 10-1-3 all-time having picked up wins in each of the last four games between the two teams.
Pacific will be back in action on Sunday, August 24 as they travel to Stanford, Calif. to take on the No. 10 ranked Cardinal of Stanford. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
