Box Score Stockton, Calif. – The Pacific Tigers decidedly defeated the Bryant Bulldogs 5-0 Saturday morning to earn their first win of the season. Pacific allowed just three shots, the fewest they have allowed since October 1st of last year, when they allowed two shots to Central Michigan. The five goals were the most Pacific has scored since the NorPac Championships in 2014 against Appalachian State.
Laura Pujade picked up the shutout, her sixth in the last two seasons, as she stopped the only two shots she faced all day in her 65 minutes of work. Jessie Niccum played the final 4:17 in goal.
The Tigers erupted for four goals in the first half of the game to take complete control of the game. Pacific allowed just two shots in that span as they dominated the ball throughout. The Tigers managed 13 total shots and seven on goal in the first 35 minutes.
The first goal came when Ash Rutherford shot from high in the circle. The ball went through the legs of Marguerite van Wyk, who got her stick on it for the tip past the goaltender.
The redirect was the first of two goals by van Wyk in the first half as the sophomore's shot off a corner at 25:33 found the back of the net. Hannah Tvergyak stopped the ball off Emma Leach's insert as the two each picked up assists.
Just over a minute later, Ali Campos scored to extend the lead even further. Campos had the ball in the circle facing away from goal. She was able to spin around the defender to face the goal and beat the goalie to make it 3-0 at 26:45.
Tvergyak scored a goal of her own at 33:22 to finalize the halftime score at 4-0. The Canadian collected the ball on a bounce and had to spin into a backhand shot that went high into the top of the net.
Pacific managed the game well in the second. The Tigers put seven more shots on the board and allowed just one by the Bulldogs as Pacific continued to dominate possession for all 70 minutes.
Tayler Silacci scored her first career goal with five minutes left in the game. A loose ball in the circle found Silacci, who was able to tap it between the goalie's pads for the goal. Sidney Brooks picked up the assist as she sent the ball into the dangerous area for her first point of the season.
The Tigers will play again tomorrow at 11:00 am, facing off against Dartmouth. Pacific will have one more road game, coming against Vermont at 8:00 am on Tuesday, before returning home.
Make sure to follow Pacific field hockey on Twitter with the username @PacificTigersFH and on Instagram at pacifictigersfh.
