April 14, 2009

Stockton, Calif. - The Pacific women's water polo team lost a close game to Sonoma State, 8-7 on Tuesday, April 14. The Tigers fell to 9-23 overall with the loss, while the Sonoma State Seawolves improved to 11-15.

The Tigers started their last home game of the regular season with an aggressive first quarter. Sonoma State got on the board first, but the Tigers netted two goals soon after to take the lead. Pacific held on to the lead for the majority of the game, until Sonoma State tied the game late in the third quarter. Pacific attacked again early in the second quarter. The Tigers found the back of the net three more times, making the score 5-3 at the halftime break.

The Seawolves came back from halftime on the offensive, outscoring the Tigers 3-1. With two minutes left in the third quarter Sonoma State's Laurel Sticklin scored her fourth goal to knot the game at seven goals a piece. The fourth quarter saw lots of aggressive play and turnovers as both teams battled goal for goal to take the lead. The Seawolves scored first making the score 7-6 in their favor. The Tigers found the back of the net two minutes later to tie the game again. It was looking like the game was going to overtime, but SonomaStateStockton, Calif.) took a long shot at the buzzer, but just overshot the goal. scored the game-winning goal with eight seconds left on the clock. Pacific's freshman standout, Allison Kosich (Stockton, Calif.) took a shot half the length of the pool at the buzzer, but overshot the goal.

The Tiger's had three people score two goals each. Allison Kosich, and sophomores Dara Tawarahara (Honolulu, Hawaii) and Bridget Geck (Huntington Beach, Calif.) each found the back of the net twice. Freshman Katherine Biehle (Visalia, Calif.) added one of her own in the loss.

Freshman Lindsey Pengilly (Stockton, Calif.) played the whole game in goal, recording six saves.

This game concludes Pacific's regular season play. The Tigers will host the inaugural Big West Conference Tournament from April 24-26 at Chris Kjeldsen Pool. The first game begins on Friday at 4 p.m.

Scoring by Quarter:
Pacific: 2 - 3 - 1 - 1 = 7
Sonoma State: 1 - 2 - 3 - 2 = 8

Pacific Goals: Allison Kosich (2), Dara Tawarahara (2), Bridget Geck (2), Katherine Biehle (1)
Sonoma State Goals: Laurel Stricklin (5), Sarah Watt (1), Emily Pearce (1), Courtney Rider (1)

Pacific Saves: Lindsey Pengilly (6 saves)
Sonoma State Saves: Lysa Lombard (8 saves)