Sept. 13, 2009
Box Score
Reno, Nev. - Reeling off a double overtime tie on Friday, the Pacific women's team got back into its winning ways and claimed a 2-0 shutout over Fordham on Sunday, Sept. 13.
With the win, Pacific improved to 4-2-1 on the year, as Fordham dropped to 0-6-1.
After a scoreless first half, freshman Laura Hernandez (Seattle, Wash.) struck the game-winning goal in the 74th minute. Freshman Maricela Padilla (San Jose, Calif.) pulled through the defense on Pacific's side of the pitch and found Hernandez in front of the net. Hernandez then one-timed it in, swatting the ball past a diving goalie, Rachel Suther, from 10 yards out where she found the back post.
"I was pleased with the effort we put forth in the second half," head coach Keith Coleman said. "We did a nice job overcoming the double overtime game at Sac State and the altitude here in Reno. I'm very happy with this result."
Hernandez's goal put Pacific up 1-0 early into the second half and gave the freshman her second goal this season, while Padilla nabbed her second assist in 2009.
The freshman duo again carried the Tigers closer to victory 10 minutes later, when it was Padilla scored her own goal at 83:01. She now leads the team with four goals this season and has scored in three of the Tigers' last four contests.
Hernandez initiated the goal when she juked her defender down the left sideline and took off dribbling towards the endline. Hernandez then tapped the ball to Padilla who crossed the ball into the goal and secured the Tigers' 2-0 win.
Pacific got off to a slow start in the first half as the Tigers and Rams both ended up with two shots apiece. Fordham could only muster one shot on goal in the first period, when Katie McDermott tried to sneak one past junior goalie Jill Medigovich (San Diego, Calif.) 14:38 into the game. Medigovich was there to grab the save and scrap the Rams' chances of scoring in the first half.
Medigovich snagged her second save of the game in the second half, keeping the Rams scoreless. After today's victory, she has not allowed a goal in two-consecutive games. The Tigers' keeper now has 19 saves on the season and has lowered her goals against average to 0.83 per game.
Pacific persisted to find its rhythm in the second half after Fordham employed an aerial game in the first half that the Tigers struggled to break. But in the second half they successfully managed to stop it, keeping possession of the ball for the majority of the half, which paid off in two goals towards the end of the game. Pacific's victory also demonstrated a great deal of heart and persistence as they were without starter freshman Kortney Agdeppa (Lodi, Calif.), who drew a redcard ejection on Friday. Agdeppa will be available to play again in Pacific's next contest.
Ultimately, the Tigers outplayed Fordham with nine shots to the Rams' four. Padilla led all players with four shots of her own and one on goal.
The Tigers next return to action when they return home to Stagg Stadium for a 7 p.m. contest against Fresno State on Friday, Sept. 18.
