Fresno State Athletics
Men's Soccer Opens Pac-10 Play at UCLA
10/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
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This Week
Fresno will open Pac-10 play on the road against UCLA this Sunday at noon. The Bulldogs will be looking to snap a three-match losing streak against the Bruins.
What Just Happened
Fresno State tied against Sacramento State 1-1 in double overtime. Senior forward Kupono Low scored his second goal of the season on a penalty kick in the first half. The Bulldogs were dominating the match defensively, allowing just one shot in the first half to the Hornets. FS outshot Sacramento State 16-7, including 5-2 in the overtime periods, but had to settle for the tie. The Hornets tied the match at the 72:17 mark in regulation on a header goal in the middle of the box area.
All-time Against UCLA
The Bulldogs are 8-13-3 all-time against the Bruins. FS has dropped its last three decisions against UCLA dating back to 1997. In 1994, Fresno State defeated UCLA twice, both times by a score of 1-0.
Fresno State vs. Sacramento State - The Last Time
(Nov. 21, 1998- LOS ANGELES)
FS and UCLA faced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in from of 1,777 fans. Bryan Roney's goal is not enough, however, as the Bruins edged the Bulldogs 2-1. The loss snapped the Bulldogs' four-match unbeaten streak to finish the season that year. FS had defeated Tulsa 5-4 on penalty kicks the match prior to capture the WAC Championship. The UCLA match also marks the last time FS has made it to the NCAA Tournament.
Give and Take
In the first 10 matches the Bulldog defense has been solid, posting a 1.2 GAA. Fresno State, however, is averaging just one goal per match. FS has shut out its opponents twice this season and has held other teams to one goal four times. Fresno State has been shu tout three times this season and has been held to one goal four times this season. The Bulldogs have lost, won or tied nine of the first nine matches by one or less goals. The only match that was decided by more than one goal was a 2-0 loss against Cal State Northridge.
Ace in the Hole
Fresno State was crowned 2002 ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic champion. The Bulldogs tied against Evansville 2-2 in double overtime and defeated Louisville 1-0. Sophomore midfielder Dan Oka was named the Offensive MVP. Oka scored the game-winning goal in the match against the Cardinals. Seniors Derek Lopez, Jeremy Proud and Ni?o Rivas were named to the all-tournament team. Fresno State and South Carolina went 1-0-1 in the two-day tournament, but FS scored three goals during the classic to only two by South Carolina.
Goal Rush Fever
Loyola Marymount captured the 2002 Goal Rush Classic championship. The Lions went 2-0 in the tournament, defeating Ohio State 2-1 and UC Irvine 3-1. LMU became the second West Coast Conference school ever to win the classic. The first was San Francisco, who captured the Goal Rush Classic title in 1986. Lion midfielder Andres Murriagui earned Offensive MVP honors after scoring the eventual game-winner in the championship match. The Bulldogs' Jeremy Proud earned Defensive MVP honors after helping Fresno State allow a tournament-low one goal. He became the first FS player to earn Defensive MVP honors since 1998 when Ricardo Ramirez and Jeff Fluharty shared the award.
Against Ranked Opponents
The Bulldogs are 0-1 against ranken opposition this season. In their only match, they dropped a 1-0 decision against No. 15 Portland at home. Last season the Bulldogs tied in their only match against a ranked foe with a 2-2 score versus No. 4 Connecticut in double overtime.
What About the Road?
Fresno State is 0-2-2 this season on the road. Fresno State has tied against Saint Mary's and Evansville. The Bulldogs do have a win away from Bulldog Stadium in a neutral site match against Louisville. FS's rally fell short against USF, as the Bulldogs fell 2-1. Against Cal State Northridge, FS fired 22 shots, but fell 2-0 against the Matadors. With most of their matches taking place away from home last season, the Bulldogs felt comfortable in foreign surroundings, posting a 4-2-2 record. Four of those matches were on neutral soil, which Fresno State was undefeated with a 2-0-2 mark. The Bulldogs started the first five non-home matched undefeated with a 3-0-2 record, outscoring their opposition 17-4 in that stretch. The Bulldogs never lost more than one match in a row in non-home matches last season.
At Bulldog Stadium
The Bulldogs are 2-2-1 at Bulldog Stadium this season, including a 1-0 shutout victory against Ohio State and a 2-1 victory against Cal State Fullerton. The two losses were both 1-0 losses to UC Irvine and No. 15 Portland. The only tie at Bulldog Stadium came against Sacramento State in a 1-1 affair. Last season Fresno State posted a record of 3-5-2 at home. The three wins came in the Bulldogs' remarkable run at the MPSF Tournament when they made the championship match. Going into the tournament, FS was 0-4-2 at Bulldog Stadium. This season the Bulldogs have 10 matches slated for home play. including five against Pac-10 oppopents.
