The stats would indicate a blowout.
The Aggies dominated all aspects of the game, out-shooting the Tigers 31-3 and tallying 16 penalty corners.
Despite their solid performance, the Aggies finished the contest with just a 3-1victory over Pacific.
UC Davis was hot right out of the gate, but despite tallying 12 shots, the Aggies found themselves down 1-0 entering halftime.
“It was one of those times when you just think ‘Is this really happening?'” said coach Vianney Campos. “Our goal was to get plenty of shots and we did just that.”
The Aggies’ intensity paid off with a goal less than two minutes into the second frame. The offensive breakthrough came from an unlikely source.
Junior defender Kristen Lopez put the ball in the back of the cage to even the score. It was the first goal of her collegiate career.
“It was awesome to get my first goal and for it to be our first goal of the season,” Lopez said. “I just wanted to score another one.”
Campos believes Lopez’s goal altered the face of the game.
“It really changed the momentum at that point,” she said. “We were able to control possession from that point on.”
The Aggies kept their momentum rolling. Junior Ashley Haight took a pass from sophomore Carly Schoch and drove it into the net to give UC Davis the lead.
The Aggies added a third when junior Emily Mecke scored on an assist from senior Sarah Schneider to lock-up a 3-1 UC Davis victory.
The league-win places UC Davis atop the NorPac Conference at this early point in the season. With no more NorPac games for nearly a month, beating Pacific was crucial for the Aggies.
“It was huge [for us to win],” Campos said. “In the past we’ve struggled against Pacific. This game was important because we want high seeding heading into [the NorPac Tournament]. The win gives us momentum heading forward.”
It might be awhile before the Aggies take the field again. UC Davis’ road-trip to the East Coast has been postponed due to Hurricane Irene. The Aggies were scheduled to face Providence today.
TREVOR CRAMER can be reached at sports@theaggie.org.
