SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A back-and-forth contest saw the Pacific men's soccer program put up a spirited performance and ultimately earn a 1-1 draw against Sacramento State on Sunday at Hornet Field. 
 
The Tigers (2-2-2) gave up the opening goal in the first half, but a penalty kick conversion by junior Luca Baltzer in the 61st minute resulted in a deadlocked contest at the final whistle. It was Baltzer's first goal as a Tiger.
 
"We made it more difficult than it had to be," head coach Adam Reeves said. "We need to be better and smarter in certain moments where we could have taken advantage of who they are. We got to go back to training and figure how we can execute better in the match going forward."
 
Senior Joshua Moya made his sixth start of the season in goal, facing 13 shots and totaling four saves. Moya came up with a couple big saves in the final moments with the Hornets aggressive push.
 
Six Tigers played the full length of the match including Moya, senior Emmanuel Obiefuna, graduate student Javier Chavez, junior Danny Govea, Baltzer and junior Matteo Carbone.
 
Pacific got off to a strong start, out-shooting Sacramento State, 6-5, in the first half. Hornets ended the game with a 13-12 shot on goal edge.
 
In the 28th minute, a cross into the box found a Hornet, who was rewarded with a tap-in for the game's first goal. Pacific regrouped and responded in the second half, applying offensive pressure and ultimately earning a penalty kick for which Baltzer converted to level the game. Sacramento State poured on the attack in the final ten minutes, but Moya and the Tigers' defense stood tall to earn the 1-1 draw.
 
The Tigers return home to take on CSU Bakersfield on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Knoles Field.
 
Stay Social
For all the latest on Pacific Men's Soccer, be sure to follow the team on X (@PacificMSoccer) Instagram (@pacificmsoccer) and "like" the team's official Facebook page (Pacific Men's Soccer).
 
#PacificProud