Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Cal Poly Slo
Bulldogs escape Mustangs' Stampede
9/5/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 5, 1999
San Louis Obispo - With five seconds left on the clock in overtime, Bulldog Jill Pearson found net to record a 1-0 victory over Cal Poly Saturday night ending a closely fought match where both teams failed to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities.
In a crowd more similar to mosh pit at a rock concert than an executed shot on goal, Pearson recorded the lone score of the match when she tapped in a cross from teammate Reyna Green.
"Megan [McAlpin] first got me the ball on the break, and I passed it to Reyna," Pearson said. "Then she crossed it back to me. It got all boggled in the crowd, and fortunately it went in."
During regulation and most of overtime, the Bulldogs struggled with the narrow field at Mustang Stadium and defending the long ball from Cal Poly midfielders to their streaking forwards. Mustang striker Gina Oceguera failed to find net despite numerous one-on-one opportunities with Bulldog keeper Jennifer Johnstone and her game-high six shots on goal.
Fresno State had their offensive opportunities stifled as well. Numerous times Pearson, Green and fellow forward Jessica Peisch streaked past the Mustang defense only be turned away by goalkeeper Sandy Oceguera.
The match drew more physical as frustration grew due to a lack of goal conversion, and the Mustangs drew two yellow cards and one red after intermission. The ejection came when goalkeeper Sandy Oceguera advanced past the top of the box and caught a shot by Fresno State in overtime. Oceguera, normally a field player, had been playing in goal due to the rash of injuries plaguing the Cal Poly squad.
"We had a chance to organize the team at the half and make some adjustments," Fresno State Head Coach Peter Reynaud said. "This was just one of those games where it wasn?t the prettiest soccer, but it was a great win."
The Bulldogs will see their next action Tuesday night when they host CS Northridge at 7 p.m.
