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Late Goal Dooms 'Dogs, San Jose State Escapes 1-0
10/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 28, 2005
FRESNO, Calif.- Jennifer Guadagnolo's goal in the 87th minute lifted San Jose State to a 1-0 victory over Fresno State on Friday night at Bulldog Stadium.
The Bulldogs (6-9-2, 3-2-1 WAC), who have already qualified for next week's WAC Tournament in Boise, began the evening in contention for a possible WAC regular season title. After Friday's loss to the Spartans (5-11-2, 4-2-0 WAC), Fresno State's title chances appear a little less likely with Sunday's road match at Hawai'i all that remains in the regular season.
Fresno State was in control throughout the match on Friday night, holding an 11-8 edge in shot attempts, with seven of those coming on frame. However, the Bulldogs again failed to put the ball in the net and suffered their third 1-0 loss of the year.
At the 86:40 mark, San Jose State converted its best scoring threat in the second half. Nicole Irwin chipped a through ball to Guadagnolo, who was deep in the box and directed the ball past Bulldog defender Rochelle Jagdeo and keeper Angie Larsen.
Otherwise, Fresno State was the side with more offensive chances on the evening. Junior Cortney Sobrero led all players with seven shots (four on goal) while senior Kortney Lewis was on target with two attempts. San Jose State was led by Liz Behlen's three tries.
The first half was evenly-played by both sides, with Fresno State holding a 5-4 advantage in shot attempts but coming up empty on two key opportunities. 20 minutes into the match, Sobrero had good position but was tied up in the goal box and her shot was saved by SJSU keeper Adrienne Herbst, who made six saves.
Lewis would later almost get the `Dogs on the board in the final 10 seconds, only to see her shot ricochet off the crossbar with time winding down.
In the 61st minute, Sobrero had a point-blank look at the goal, only to see Herbst make an impressive one-handed save and keep the game scoreless.
As the match appeared to be headed toward overtime, San Jose State knocked in the game-winner with just over three minutes remaining. It was the first goal Larsen had allowed since the Bulldog's suffered a 2-0 loss at No. 5 Santa Clara back on Oct. 7. She made three saves.
Prior to the match, Fresno State honored its senior class (Koleen Anderson, Barbara Davis, Kortney Lewis and Chelsea Mays).
Fresno State plays its final regular season match on Sunday at Hawai'i. Kick-off time is set for 7 p.m. PST.
