STOCKTON, Calif. – A first-minute goal for the Gaels (6-6-3, 1-1-2) set the tone against the Tigers (2-9-2, 1-2-1) as Pacific fell 3-1 at Knoles Field.
Junior
Cory Johnson scored his first goal of the season, while senior
Derick Roque added his fourth assist, leading the team. Seniors
Emory Rapaport and
Samuel Villalta both put shots on goal. Nine Tigers played all 90 minutes. In goal,
Eric Cotton had seven saves on 10 shots faced.
The game kicked off, and the ball was in the back of the net for Saint Mary's, scoring 24 seconds into the game. The Tigers responded well, as Roque broke through the Gaels' back line, passing the ball across the face of the goal to Johnson, who slotted it home to bring the game even.
Saint Mary's responded just over a minute later, as a Tiger turnover deep in the defensive zone led to the game's second goal. Saint Mary's added one more goal in the 31st minute in what would be the last of the scoring.
With a two-goal deficit in the second half, Pacific pushed on the attack with five corner kicks and nine shots. The Saint Mary's counterattack was active, putting five shots on goal but Cotton was up to the task, keeping the game at 3-1.
Pacific is back in action on Saturday when they take on San Francisco at 7 p.m.
