Fresno State Athletics
Soccer Opens Season With 2-0 Win Over Fresno Pacific
8/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 18, 2006
Fresno, Calif. - Fresno State scored 41 seconds into the exhibition as the Bulldogs opened the 2006-07 athletic year with an exhibition win over cross-town rival Fresno Pacific on Friday. Allison Schroeder put home the go-ahead goal in the opening minute and the team cruised to a 2-0 victory.
The Bulldogs wasted no time in welcoming a crowd just shy of 1,000 for the season opener, as the team moved down the field and Allison Schroeder banged home a rebound past Fresno Pacific goaltender Justine Caldera to put Fresno State ahead 1-0 in the exhibition match, the first of the year.
Following the early action, both teams settled down and played through the match, which had a special format of three 30-minute periods and unlimited substitutions. Those stipulations were there to maximize the benefit for both teams as the two Fresno teams prepare for the 2006-07 season. The unlimited substitutions allowed both teams to get nearly every available player onto the pitch for extended time as well as giving the teams' their first tast of competition for the year.
After the early goal, the Bulldogs continued to press the pace, making seven shots in the initial period along with 3 corner kicks, but the Fresno Pacific defense held the Bulldogs to just the one goal in the first.
Developing more plays in the second, a feed from Amanda Reyes and a cross from Nicole Gutierrez led to a Brittany Thomas goal in the 57th minute, creating the final score of 2-0.
In addition to the two goals, the Bulldog defense was outstanding, completely stifling the Sunbird offensive attack. Through 90 minutes of play, the Fresno State defense held Fresno Pacific to just three shots, and none of the three were on goal, limiting the action for goalkeeper Angie Larson, who got the start as well as the exhibition win and shutout.
Fresno State continues exhibition action next Monday when the team hosts the Yokosuka Seagulls in the final tune-up for the Bulldogs before the regular season. That match begins at 7 p.m. in Bulldog Stadium.
