Box Score Stockton, Calif – The Pacific women's soccer team opened up conference play today with a 1-0 win over the visiting Saint Mary's Gaels. The win brings the Tigers to a 1-7-1 record on the year and drops the Gaels to 2-8-2.
"It's unbelievable. We said all year that the non-conference games were going to prepare us for this moment, so as a coach to watch it executed today was huge," says head coach Kerri Scroope. "This is a statement for us; not many predicted us to win a game this season and they did everything we asked them to do today."
Pacific got on the board in the 16th minute when Samia Adam sent a pass to Sandra Padilla who then sent a bullet from outside the box over the leaping Gael goalie towards the far end of the goal for the score. This was Padilla's first collegiate goal and Adam's first collegiate assist. The Tigers looked to cushion their lead in the 36th minute when Eliza Hard send a cross into the crowded box to Jessica Fogel, but her impending touch sent the ball just wide left of the post.
Ten minutes into the second half Adam looked to increase the Pacific lead by firing off a promising shot from roughly 30 yards out. The Gael goalie had to make a jumping save in order to keep the ball out of the net, keeping the score 1-0. The final 45 minutes brought a stalwart defense by the Tigers, who were able to hold the Gaels scoreless to seal the victory.
Goalie Lena Perry continued her strong play for the Tigers as she earned her first win of the season. The senior added nine saves on 14 total shots and is now tied for fifth all-time in program history with 148 saves.
Conference play continues for the Tigers as they visit Santa Clara next Friday before heading to San Francisco to battle the Dons on Sunday. Live stats and video will be available for both these matchups.
