Stockton, Calif. – The Pacific Tiger field hockey family met for their annual alumni game Sunday, September 4 at Brookside Field. The current Tigers recorded three goals in the second half to down the numerous alums that returned to their former playing grounds.
The first score came at the 27-minute mark after Melissa Maultsby knocked the ball free from former Pacific keeper Valerie Niles, and then passed it to Tarah Trotter who placed a shot in the back right corner of the cage. Trotter was quick to compliment her teammates saying, "Vivian sent a great pass in, Maultsby jarred it free through the keepers pads, and I was able to put it in the back of the net."
Soon after the current Tigers continued their attack when a pass from freshman Kayley Brown reached junior Dinah Compton's stick in the middle of the circle. Compton ripped a firm shot beating Niles, giving Pacific a commanding 2-0 lead. However, Pacific was not done, as Maggie Grindatti put the Tigers up 3-0, beating the alumni defense in the circle.
Head Coach Linda MacDonald was happy to welcome back her former players, and regroup before road games at Brown, Providence and Bryant saying, "I always love playing alumni games. The alums did an awesome job, especially Valerie Niles who had not been in the cage for almost three years." MacDonald commented on her squad adding, "I think it was important for our team to leave today with a positive attitude, and hopefully it carries over to our trip to Rhode Island."
The Tigers of the past were happy to return to Brookside Field and see former teammates. Alum and current Tiger assistant coach, Kelly Perkins, playing against her student-athletes said, "we had a lot of fun today, played hard and brought it against the current players." Current Pacific Athletic Academic Councilor Danielle Neault was shocked to see everyone still at the top of their game saying, "a lot of people picked up where they left off, we still had the competitive drive, and we had a great time out there.
The Tigers return home and continue NorPac Conference play September 17 at Brookside Field against No. 20 Stanford.
