Freshman Steps Up For The Boxers
Box Score
SANTA CRUZ, CALIF.—Pacific freshman Nick Rudella (Sammamish, Wash.) scored two goals in the second half to lead the Boxers past the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen 2-1.
The first half of the match was a relatively even dual. Pacific's (4-0-0) goalkeeper Andrew Stevermer (Sr., Gillette, Wyo.) had three saves, as did Cal Lutheran's (0-2-0) goalkeeper Chris Holm. Both teams also had one corner kick apiece. The Kingsmen did edge the Boxers in shots 7-6 and Sean Hungerford was able to convert Cal Lutheran's extra shot into a goal in the 32nd minute.
The Kingsmen took the 1-0 advantage into halftime.
In the second half, Pacific took charge and was able to net two goals, while outshooting the Kingsmen 9-1. For the second match in a row, Rudella was able to score two goals for the Boxers. The first came in the 68th minute when he headed in a throw-in by Avery Neal (Sr., Los Alamos, N.M.) and was assisted by Mike Iacolucci (Sr., Seattle, Wash.) to tie the game. His second goal came in the 81st minute with assists by Kizamu Tsutakawa (Sr., Seattle, Wash.) and Jasem Jaihouni (Sr., Portland, Ore.) to give Pacific the 2-1 lead.
The Boxer defense was able to hold back the Kingsmen's counter attacks to stay undefeated.
Pacific will be on the field in Santa Cruz again tomorrow at 1 p.m. to face UC Santa Cruz.
