THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – California Lutheran Women's Lacrosse hosted the Boxers of Pacific University in what was a competitive and physical battle on Monday night. Despite a late push, the Regals were not able to take the win as Pacific was able to hold on for a 12-7 victory.
The teams traded possession until Pacific was able to open the scoring in the fourth minute. The Regals were able to respond when freshman Clarissa Campos was awarded an 8-meter attempt that she scored for her first career goal.
The Regal offense was able to match the Boxers in shots in the first quarter, but not goals. Pacific was able to score two more goals, including one with just 6 seconds left to end the first quarter up 3-1.
The second quarter mirrored the first as the Boxers were able to score first only to have the Regals answer as freshman Meghan Angus was able to score her fourth of the season to make it a 4-2 game. Again, in similar fashion to the first, the Boxers then went on to score the final two goals of the half and enter the break with a 6-2 lead.
Cal Lutheran cut into the lead when Hena Koeberl was able to find Malina Diaz to bring the score to 6-3. This marked the first collegiate goal for Diaz and the assist helped cement Koeberl as the Regals career assist and points leader.
The Boxers struck next, but Cal Lutheran was able to answer quickly when junior Arielle Esparza scored her first goal of the season which makes her the only player to have scored both this season and in the Regals Covid shortened inaugural season.
Pacific found the back of the net three more times before sophomore Giselle Bonilla was able to beat the Boxer netminder for her 5th goal of the season to end the third quarter 10-5.
Cal Lutheran came out of the break looking to attack and score early in the shot clock. Melina Diaz was able to beat her defender and notch her 2nd goal of the contest. This was quickly followed by Giselle Bonilla taking a feed from Hena Koeberl to score her 2nd goal of the game as well. Both of these goals came within the first minute of the quarter.
The Regals attempted to keep the pressure high as they outshot the Boxers in the fourth, but 10-7 was the closest they would be able to bring the score. Pacific score the final two goals to bring the game to an end with the score 12-7.
The Regals were able to pick up 22 ground balls to the Boxers' 18, led by senior Sloan Sanders and her 8 ground balls to go along with her 2 caused turnovers.
The Regals will be back in William Rolland Stadium to take on Whitman Friday at 7:00pm.
Box Score: CLU 7; PU 12
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Release by Steve Lohn, Assistant Sports Information Director
