STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific men's soccer program applied pressure throughout the night, ultimately dropping a close contest to Sacramento State, 2-1, on Thursday night at Knoles Field.

Despite out-shooting their opponent by a 12-7 margin, the Tigers (1-4) were caught off-guard by a two-minute sequence in the second half that gave the Hornets (1-5-1) the result at the final horn.

Pacific struck first from its captain as senior Luca Baltzer whistled in his first goal of the season to break the deadlock in the 39th minute. Baltzer's strike was the second goal of his career. He scored previously last season at Sacramento State on a penalty kick in a 1-1 draw.

Junior Mateus Ruiz-Hurst made one second half save on the night in his fifth start in goal.

While the Tigers had controlled play for the majority of the contest, the Hornets stung with a penalty kick conversion in the 59th minute and a fast-break tally in the following minute to take a 2-1 lead.

Pacific mounted up the offensive intensity for the remainder of the match, continuing to attack, but the Sacramento State defense would not concede another following Baltzer's first half goal.

The Tigers look to regroup for their next home match, facing CSUN at 7 p.m. on Sunday at Knoles Field. The two teams battled to a scoreless draw in Northridge last season.

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