Women's Soccer Wraps Up West Coast Trip With 2-1 Loss to Pacific

Stockton, Calif. - Freshman Laura Hernandez scored her first career goal midway through the second half to lead Pacific to a 2-1 win over UAlbany in non-conference women's soccer action at Stagg Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 30. The Great Danes were led by freshman midfielder Maggie DeVerna, who scored her first collegiate goal, and sophomore goalkeeper Cate Crenson, who made a career-high 10 saves in the losing effort.

Pacific (2-1), which was coming off a convincing 5-0 victory over Portland State, threatened to score early and often by taking the first eight shots of the match. The Tigers had the best chance to score of either team with just 19 seconds left in the opening stanza when Hernandez had a one-on-one breakaway against Crenson. However, she was forced to go to her weak foot and Crenson came away with one of her five key saves in the opening 45 minutes to keep the match scoreless at halftime.

The Tigers got on the scoreboard first in the 54th minute following a long throw-in when Natalie Wong took a short pass from Angelica Figueroa and shot it past Crenson. It was the first goal the sophomore surrendered all season after holding opponents scoreless for consecutive halves dating back to Friday's match at Sacramento State.

UAlbany (0-2) rallied back to net the equalizer in the 66th minute by catching Pacific off guard directly after head coach Keith Coleman made a substitution. Freshman Chelsea DeVerna centered the ball from the right side to Maggie DeVerna, her twin sister, who fired it to the back of the net from about 15 yards out. However, Pacific responded shortly afterwards with the game-winning goal in the 70th minute when Hernandez chipped a shot past Crenson with the outside of her left foot on a failed clear attempt by the Great Dane defense.

Despite making a career-best 10 stops on 23 chances, UAlbany's Crenson was credited with the loss in her first start of the young season. Pacific's Jill Medigovich made two saves on four opportunities to earn the victory.

UAlbany (0-2) will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 4 at 4 p.m. when it hosts Iona in its home opener at Varsity Field.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information