STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA - Mailin Orozco needed just 117 seconds to write the story of Pacific's hard-fought victory, propelling the Tigers to a 2-1 win over Santa Clara and snapping the Broncos' two-match losing streak was avoided as they extended it. Orozco slotted home a perfectly weighted through ball from Whitney Garn before a crowd that would grow to 847 enthusiastic fans throughout the afternoon. The early goal set the tone for a defensive chess match where both teams marshaled their resources to control the tempo.
The early breakthrough forced Santa Clara to reorganize their attack, but the Broncos struggled to create clear chances against Pacific's organized defense. The Tigers' goalkeeper, Kristina Bustos, commanded her box, making crucial saves to preserve the lead. As the first half wore on, Gianna Gagliano doubled Pacific's advantage in the 38th minute, unleashing a powerful shot that dissected the Santa Clara defense. The Tigers' lead at halftime was a testament to their defensive prowess and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Santa Clara began the second half with a sense of urgency, pushing more players forward in an attempt to unlock Pacific's defense. However, the Tigers' backline, marshaled by defenders like Aniela Jensen, absorbed the pressure and continued to threaten on the counter. The breakthrough came in the 70th minute when Kayla Pham finished clinically, assisted by Garn and Jensen, to seal the win for Pacific. Santa Clara pulled one back through a late effort, but it was too little, too late.
The statistical ledger reveals a tale of two contrasting styles. Santa Clara outshot Pacific 18-11 overall but couldn't produce a clear advantage in shots on target, with the Tigers' defense stifling their efforts. Pacific, on the other hand, held a marginal advantage in shots on target, with four attempts compared to Santa Clara's five, though only three of Santa Clara's efforts actually required a save from Bustos. The Tigers' efficiency in front of goal was a decisive factor, as they converted two of their 11 shots into goals.
The victory represents more than three points for Pacific; it signifies a turning point in their season. With a record of 4-6-3 overall and 1-3-1 in conference play, the Tigers are looking to build on this momentum as they prepare to face LMU next. For Santa Clara, the loss extends their losing streak to two games, leaving them with a 5-6-2 overall record and 1-2-2 in conference. They will look to regroup against Oregon St. in their upcoming match.
As the final whistle blew, the Pacific players celebrated a hard-earned victory, one that showcased their defensive resilience and clinical finishing. The afternoon belonged to Pacific, and specifically to Mailin Orozco, whose early strike set the tone for the Tigers' success. With this win, Pacific has demonstrated their ability to compete against top-tier teams and has positioned themselves for a strong finish to the season.
Key Players:
Mailin Orozco (Pacific) – Slotted home the match-winner in the 2nd minute, showcasing her predatory instincts and finishing ability.
Gianna Gagliano (Pacific) – Doubled Pacific's lead with a powerful shot in the 38th minute, epitomizing the Tigers' clinical finishing.
Kayla Pham (Pacific) – Sealed the win with a clinical finish in the 70th minute, assisted by Garn and Jensen, demonstrating Pacific's attacking threat.
Isabel Rodriguez (Santa Clara) – Pulled one back for Santa Clara with a late effort, providing a glimmer of hope for the Broncos.