Oct. 31, 2009

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Stockton, Calif. - It was truly senior day for the Pacific field hockey team Saturday afternoon as they took out UC Davis 2-1 at home for the final game before the NorPac Conference Tournament. Seniors accounted for the Tigers two goals and all of the shots on goal in the game.

Led by seniors Katy McDonough (Ventura, Calif.), Kim Keyawa (Chico, Calif.) and Kiddy Leubane (Capetown, South Africa), the Tiger offense out shot UC Davis 24-1 during the contest.

McDonough opened up scoring 27 minutes into play after breaking away from a defender on the end line. She sent the ball across into the far side past a laid out goalie to put the Tigers up 1-0.

The score would hold into the break. But just seven minutes into the second half, Leubane scored her fifth goal of the season after beating two defenders.

Senior captains Lisa Muhl (Harleysville, Pa.) and Brianna Cummins (Fallbrook, Calif.) helped lead the defenses incredible play, keeping UC Davis (3-13, 0-6 NorPac) out of the circle for over 52 minutes. It was Nadia Namdari who finally broke the silence on a pass from Lindsey Valadez to pull the Aggies within one.

But Pacific (4-11, 3-3 NorPac) held on for the remainder of the game to earn the win. Not only were the seniors honored, but today marked the 20th anniversary of the historic 1989 Pacific field hockey team who were the first to make the NCAA tournament.

Angela Teran ('93), Tina Royce ('90) and All-American Wendy Crain Little ('91) were in attendance to represent the players of that team. Three-time All-American Luci Lagrimas ('85) represented the coaching staff.

The Tigers also recognized another member of the 1989 team who could not be present. Nita Bruner Harris ('91) lost her battle with cancer on April 9 of this year. The Pacific field hockey team dedicated their entire 2009 season to Harris.

Pacific now begins preparing for the NorPac Tournament. Hosted by Stanford University this year, the tournament is set for Nov. 5-7. While the win over UC Davis secures the Tigers place as the #3 team in the west, seeding for the tournament will not be announced until early next week.