Sept. 20, 2008

Box Score

Oxford, Ohio - Playing their second game of a three game road trip, the Pacific field hockey team fell 7-1 at the hands of Michigan State at Miami (OH) on Saturday, September 20. The loss dropped Pacific to 1-6 on the year while the Spartans improved to 7-1.

A promising start was not to be for the Tigers as Pacific could not hold down a potent Spartan attack throughout the day, giving up seven unanswered goals to Michigan State after taking an early 1-0 lead.

Just 3:19 into the contest, Pacific had its first lead of the game as junior Kim Keyawa (Chico, Calif.) fired in her third goal of the season on what would be the Tigers' only penalty corner of the afternoon. Senior Ashley Niccum (Simi Valley, Calif.) picked up the assist on the play for the Tigers, her first of the year and her team-leading seventh point.

The Tigers lead would hold for the next 14 minutes of the game until Michigan State converted on a penalty corner of its own, knotting the game at 1-1. From there the Spartans took control of the contest, netting six more goals over the next 30 minutes to pull away for the 7-1 win. Four of Michigan State's goals came on penalty corners at the Spartans held a 13-to-1 advantage on the free plays.

For the game, the Spartans outshot the Tigers 39-to-2. Sophomore Christina Niccum (Simi Valley, Calif.) posted a career-high 19 saves in the contest while playing all 70:00 minutes for the Tigers.

Pacific will close out its road trip to Miami (OH) with a contest against the host Redhawks on Sunday, September 21. Game time is scheduled for 12:00 pm (ET).