SANTA CRUZ, Ca. – The UC Santa Cruz women's soccer team improved to 2-0-2 after a 5-1 victory over the Pacific (Ore.) Boxers in their home opener on Friday afternoon. The Slugs saw a brace from Sydney Boyd along with goals from Amanda Scott, Tatiana Fernandez, and Chelyn Ackerman. In typical fashion, the Slugs featured a shot-heavy attack that outshot the Boxers 19-1 in the contest, putting 11 on frame with five finding the back of the net. The Banana Slugs will be back in action on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. when they host the University of Chicago Maroons who defeated Chapman University 5-2 on the Lower East Field to wrap up Friday's action in Santa Cruz.
 
How It Happened
The Slugs wasted no time pressuring the Boxers as Camille Anneet dished the ball out to Sydney Boyd who struck the back of the goal just 6:19 into the contest. UC Santa Cruz continued to pressure, taking three more shots with Anneet ringing one off the crossbar and Tatiana Fernandez hitting the post. In the 17th minute, Amanda Scott earned a goal for the Slugs to make it 2-0 early in the first half. UC Santa Cruz continued to pressure Pacific but couldn't find the third as Slugs entered the half with a 2-0 lead.
 
After the halftime break, a foul inside the box gave the Boxers a penalty kick opportunity and they capitalized on the chance to cut the lead to 2-1 in the 52nd minute. The goal didn't slow down the Slugs as they sent in a flurry of shots before Sydney Boyd scored her second goal in the 65th minute to make it 3-1. UC Santa Cruz didn't slow down as Tatiana Fernandez increased the lead to 4-1 with a goal in the 73rd minute before Chelyn Ackerman scored in the 77th minute for the extra insurance goal.
 
The Slugs continued to pressure throughout the remainder of the contest but the 5-1 lead remainder the final score as UC Santa Cruz picked up their second win of the 2024 season.