Early Goals Pace Bulldogs Past Idaho 2-0

Friday, October 13

Fresno, CA

7:00 PM

Fresno State

8-5-1

Idaho

0-15-0

Idaho

Fresno State

Sophomore Nicole Gutierrez made a goal and added an assist as the team improved to 8-5-1.

Early Goals Pace Bulldogs Past Idaho 2-0

10/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Oct. 13, 2006

Box Score

Fresno, Calif. - Sophomore forward Nicole Gutierrez sent home her second goal of the year in the fourth minute as Fresno State cruised past Idaho 2-0. Outshooting the Vandals 18-4, the Bulldog defense held tight for their ninth shutout of the season and stayed on the offensive end to grab their second conference win.

"Starting out quickly was something that we talked about in the locker room before tonight's game," said head coach Steve Springthorpe. "We came out with a lot of energy, and were able to strike first, which put pressure on them and really opened the game up for us."

The game-winning goal for Fresno State came almost immediately after the opening kickoff. Once the Bulldogs took possession off of the Vandal kickoff they moved up the side and Antonea Lugo hit Gutierrez who lifted a shot over Idaho goaltender Anna Sandman for the first goal of the game.

Not content with the one goal, Fresno State continued to pressure the Vandals, putting four more shots on goal before hitting the net for the second time, as Gutierrez added a perfect feed to her goal, recording the assist as Cortney Sobrero sent a shot over the front of Sandman to put the `Dogs ahead 2-0.

The second half was nearly identical to the first, with the shot totals remaining 9-2 in the latter period, but Sandman was up to the challenge, denying point blank challenges from Amanda Reyes, Andrea Salvador and Allison Schroeder as the Bulldogs were content to press the ball and hold onto the lead.

Defensively, the Bulldogs allowed only four shots on the night, and Angie Larsen made the save on all four to record her ninth shutout of the season, a career high for the senior and a new Fresno State season record.

"I thought we had a very good effort tonight," added Springthorpe. "After a tough outing two nights ago, to turn around and play 90 minutes with the energy that we did tonight was great. We created chances and defended well all evening."

The Bulldogs have one more home game this weekend, hosting Boise State on Sunday afternoon. The teams will take the pitch at 2 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium.