Stockton, Calif. - The Pacific Field Hockey team notched a 1-0 victory over California on Saturday, thanks in part to a shutout by goalkeeper Molly Macierz, who was playing in her last regular season game. Macierz, along with fellow seniors Kayley Brown and Lauren Peterson, were honored in a pre-game ceremony on Senior Day at the Pacific Field Hockey Turf. The Tigers improve to 6-12 with the victory, while Cal falls to 7-9 in defeat. The season series between the two opponents is now even at 1-1 while Pacific is now assured of its most wins in a season since the 2008 campaign. 

Macierz was tested early, as she recorded four first half saves. The Golden Bears had opportunities to score in the 6th and 7th minute, on a pair of penalty corner attempts, but Macierz stopped a Clara Goni shot and saw an Andrea Earle attempt sail wide. Cal was awarded a penalty corner in the 18th minute, but Macierz was able to corral another Goni shot attempt. In the 20th minute, Cal's Emily Catan shot on goal, but the attempt was corralled. 

In the 30th minute, The Tigers were awarded its first penalty corner of the contest and was able to convert for the decisive goal. Freshman Savannah Burns had her initial shot attempt saved by a Cal defender but Kelsey Gulledge was in the right position to tap in the rebound and give the Tigers the 1-0 advantage. In the first half, Pacific outshot Cal 8-7 while Cal held a 5-2 advantage in penalty corners. Macierz and California goalkeeper Courtney Hendrickson each had three saves in the first 35 minutes of action.

In the second half, California went to a new goalkeeper as Kori Griswold entered the contest. The Tigers were able to largely stop the Golden Bears attack, holding the visitors to just four shots in the second half. Macierz was tested in the 45th minute as Lara Kruggel and Nicole Henriksson fired shots on goal, but she was able to stop them with a pair of pad saves.

Cal had perhaps their best opportunity to equalize in the 57th minute after a penalty corner was awarded. Macierz was able to make a stick save on the attempt by Goni. In the 65th minute, The Golden Bears emptied their net, adding a field player while Natalie Gibbens assumed kicking back duties, but the Pacific defense was able to stop any Golden Bears advances, as Cal got off no shot attempts with the extra field player.

Macierz finished with 6 saves while the Tigers owned a 15-11 advantage in shots for the contest. Sophomore Ali Campos led the Tigers with six shots while freshman Savannah Burns added four.

Macierz said of the day, "The shutout was a great feeling. We beat Cal a couple of years ago on a Senior Day so it's kind of cool to come full circle and beat them on my Senior Day. Cal's Natalie Gibbens is one of my good friends so it was great to play with her in our last regular season game. Both teams had a good match and it was a great finish for Pacific."

Head Coach Andy Smith lauded senior performances, "Molly was the player of the match today. She's better now than she's ever been. I'm so proud of her, Kayley and Lauren. All three of them have had great careers and have been a big part of what we've done this season." Smith added, "We're focusing on one game at  a time, so this was a nice end to our regular season at home and now we'll get ready to play UC Davis on Thursday."

The Tigers will return to action on Thursday as the NorPac Championships open up at the Pacific Field Hockey Turf. Pacific will face off with the Aggies at 1:30 pm in a first-round contest.