Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Host UC Irvine in Season Opener
8/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Aug. 30, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's soccer team opens the 2007 season on Friday at 7 p.m. in Bulldog Stadium when they play host to UC Irvine. All tickets for Friday's game are $1.
This is the first time since 1998 the Bulldogs have faced UC Irvine on the soccer field. The Anteaters lead the overall series 4-0, with the last meeting being a 1-0 loss on September 11, 1998, in Irvine.
"We are looking forward to our home opener against UC - Irvine this Friday night," Fresno State coach Steve Springthorpe said. "The teams in the Big West are always very competitive and I am sure that UC Irvine will no doubt come in here and battle us. It will be a great test for us as the season gets started. Our team is looking forward to getting the season officially started and we are excited to be playing in front of our home crowd."
Fresno State is 4-1 when opening the season at home. Last year the Bulldogs defeated San Francisco 2-0 in their home opener.
Fresno State returns eight seniors and two All-Conference performers in Ali Sill and Nicole Gutierrez. Sill and Gutierrez both scored goals in exhibition games against Fresno Pacific and Cal Poly.
Other returning players are Andrea Alires, Chelsea Davis, Christina Gilbert, Amanda Reyes, Andrea Salvador, Megan Tennant, Aubrey Tennant, Brittany Thomas, Selena Gill, Alyssa Mandas and Lauren West.
UC Irvine finished the 2006 season with a 3-13-1 record. But the Anteaters do return three senior defenders and six of their eight leading scorers from the 2006 season.
Senior defenders Makenzie Beahm, Kelly Little and Brittany Del Soldato bring experience to the Anteater defense that recorded three shutouts last season.
Beahm is UCI's returning leading scorer as she finished second on the team with three points in 2006. The Anteaters leading scorer in 2005, Megan Ortiz, will also return this season after redshirting last year due to a knee injury.
Following Friday's contest, the Bulldogs play at UC Davis on Sunday at 12 p.m. Fresno State's next home game is September 28 at 7 p.m. against UTEP.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - Fresno State Soccer, the 2006 WAC regular season champions, open the 2007 season at home this Friday, August 31 against UC Irvine at 7 p.m. All tickets are just $1. Tickets are available at www.gobulldogs.com, by phone at 559-278-DOGS or in person at the Bulldog Ticket Office.
