Reyes Lifts Bulldogs To Season Opening Victory

Friday, August 31

Fresno, Calif.

7:00 PM

Fresno State

1-0

UC Irvine

0-1

UC Irvine

Fresno State

Reyes Lifts Bulldogs To Season Opening Victory

8/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Aug. 31, 2007

Box Score

FRESNO, Calif. - Despite being a defender, Amanda Reyes has always loved attacking on the offensive end. That was evident on Friday as she scored a goal and added an assist to lead Fresno State to a season opening 3-0 win over UC Irvine at Bulldog Stadium.

"I'm really excited about how the team is looking," Reyes said. "We are working really hard and it is coming together. We are doing a good job of making runs and supporting each other."

The three goals are the most Fresno State has scored in a victory since a 3-0 win over Louisiana Tech on October 21, 2005. Friday's victory upped the Bulldogs record to 5-1 in home debuts and it was the first time they have beaten UC Irvine.

"We haven't scored three goals very many times," Fresno State coach Steve Springthorpe said. "To get three goals on our opening night is encouraging for us. Today was a hard fought battle. We scored early but Irvine pushed us hard."

The Bulldogs out shot UC Irvine 20-12 while Kaity Revel came up with four saves in 90 minutes of play.

Fresno State didn't waste any time in getting on the scoreboard as Ali Sill blasted a shot inside the box off a missed attempt by Nicole Gutierrez in the fifth minute.

"To get a goal early is encouraging for us," Springthorpe said. "I am happy with the level of play in which we played."

In the 36th minute Gutierrez won a ball off a Reyes pass inside the box and slipped the ball in the back of the net after UC Irvine keeper Erin Henry attempt to get a loose ball fell short.

Reyes tallied the third goal in the 50th minute when she scored off a cross pass from Lauren Satterlee. Reyes' shot was taken inside the 18 after breaking past several Irvine defenders. It was her second goal of her career.

"What we saw today in Amanda is what she has done all preseason," Springthorpe said. "She came in fit and she is running up and down the line for us. It is not to often your left back comes in and scores a goal. She has done what we thought she would do."

The Bulldogs return to the field on Sunday for a 12 p.m. contest at UC Davis.

"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State Soccer team will be on the road for the next six games before returning home to Bulldog Stadium on Friday, September 28 against UTEP at 7 p.m. All kids who attended the Fresno State Soccer Summer Camp can wear their camp t-shirt for free admission to all regular season home games in 2007. Tickets are available at www.gobulldogs.com, by phone at 559-278-DOGS or in person at the Bulldog Ticket Office.