Box Score STOCKTON, Calif. – Returning to Chris Kjeldsen Pool at the Pacific Aquatics Center for the first time since Mar. 8, 2020, the No. 18 Pacific women's water polo team (1-1) got back in the win column on Saturday evening, handily defeating No. 23 Santa Clara, 17-6, in their home opener.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Getting the scoring started, junior Toula Falvey netted her first goal of the contest at  6:47 in the opening period to give Pacific the early 1-0 lead.
• After back-to-back goals from junior Brianna Utas and redshirt senior Viktoria Tamas pushed the Tiger advantage to 3-1 midway through the quarter, redshirt senior Truly Dorland continued her torrid start to the season, recording a remarkable four straight goals for Pacific at 4:14, 3:45, 3:20 and 0:21 in the first respectively. At the end of one, UOP remained out in front of the Broncos, 7-3.
• Firing out of the gates, the Tigers would go onto to score the first five goals of the second period to extend their lead to 12-3, which included two more goals from Falvey and one each from Dorland, Tamas and senior Natalie Hosmer. Despite one goal from Santa Clara at 3:56, Pacific enjoyed a 12-4 halftime lead.
• With little action from either side in the third quarter, junior Ana Martinez do Amaral's goal stood to be the only points for the Tigers as they stayed on top of Santa Clara, 13-5, heading into the final period.
• Following a second goal from do Amaral to open the quarter as well as goals from juniors Mia Garcia and MerryDannelle Wilson, Pacific would encounter little pressure down the stretch from the Broncos in the fourth, cruising to the first home and overall victory of the year by a final score of 16-7.

 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Leading the way, Dorland and Falvey each finished with a game-high four goals. Additionally, do Amaral and Tamas both found the back of the net twice.
• In the cage, freshman Isabelle Knittle collected 7 saves and 1 steal in the first 16 minutes of play before fellow classmate Emanuella Nathan tallied 2 saves and 5 steals in the second half en route to her first win in the Orange & Black.
• As a team, Pacific led Santa Clara in total shots (35-24), shot percentage (.457) and power play percentage (.714).

 
UP NEXT:
No. 18 Pacific will continue their home stand when they welcome No. 12 UC Davis to Stockton for a morning matchup on Sunday. Aiming for revenge, the Aggies previously defeated the Tigers in UOP's season opener on Feb. 28, 14-8, in Davis. 
 
Game time is set for 11:00 am from Chris Kjeldsen Pool. Unfortunately, no live stream will be available for this match. Live stats via The FOSH will be available via pacifictigers.com.
 
FOLLOW US:
For more information and updates on the Pacific women's water polo team, please follow the team on Twitter (@Pacific_WWP), Instagram (@pacificwaterpolo) and Facebook (@pacificwomenswaterpolo).