Sept. 5, 2008
Box Score
Kent, OH - Propelled by a strong second half, the Pacific Tigers field hockey squad pushed host Kent State to the edge before falling 2-1 on Friday, Sept. 5.
The loss dropped the Tigers to 0-2 on the season, while Kent State moved to 2-1 in 2008.
Playing the first of three games in four days on the road, the Tigers struggled early against the Golden Flashes. Kent State out shot Pacific 9-3 in the opening period and held a 5-1 advantage on penalty corner opportunities. In spite of the pressure applied by Kent State, Pacific's defense held strong. Junior Lisa Muhl (Harleysville, Pa.) notched two of her three defensive saves to keep the game scoreless early.
Unfortunately, the Golden Flashes pushed through the Pacific defense late in the first half to take the lead as Debbie Bell sailed a shot past Pacific goalkeeper, sophomore Christina Niccum (Simi Valley, Calif.) to make it 1-0.
Early in the second period, Kent State forged ahead 2-0, when Carla Johns collected a rebounded shot on a corner play and fired it into the back of the net.
Trailing 2-0, the Tigers had to respond and Pacific did just that. A little under ten minutes later the Tigers pushed the ball into the Kent State circle to force their first penalty corner of the half. Moments later, a second penalty corner resulted in Pacific's first goal of the season. Freshman Courtney Weaving (Washington, Conn.) started the play with a strong insertion of the ball to senior Ashley Niccum (Simi Valley, Calif.). Ashley took the option pass and fired a bullet from the left side into the net, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Pacific continued to apply pressure to Kent State with three more penalty corners in the second half, while Muhl and junior Brianna Cummins (Fallbrook, Calif.) each picked up second half defensive saves, but it wasn't enough as Pacific dropped the contest, 2-1.
The Tigers were out shot 21-7 in the game and trailed 10-6 in penalty corner chances.
The Tigers continue their three-game road trip in Ohio on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. (ET) in a neutral site match-up with Lock Haven.
