Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Cal State Bakersfield
`Dogs Win Valley Cup
9/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 13, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's soccer team found the back of the net not once, but twice against CSU Bakersfield. The Bulldogs scored two unanswered goals to beat the Roadrunners, 2-0, on Sunday night. The `Dogs brought home the second annual Valley Cup with their first win of the season. Fresno State improves to 1-5 on the season.
"It is an absolute relief to not only score, but have the team play quite well in all facets," said head coach Brian Zwaschka. "We remained organized and didn't give anything away. This was a long time coming. It could have and should have happened a few games ago. The team recognized that if they stick to the game plan we can get the result we want."
The Bulldogs got on the board first in the 28th minute of the first half. Junior Claudia Cardenas scored the Bulldogs first goal of the season. Cardenas took a shot on the goalkeeper from about 18-yards out. Freshman Bianca Lopez set Cardenas up with a deflected shot and earned the assis.
"It feels great to finally put the ball in the back of the net and get a goal," said Cardenas. "Scoring two goals was huge for our team and I hope the momentum carries over to the next weekend and the rest of the season."
Not even 10 minutes later the `Dogs struck again with another goal extending their lead, 2-0.
Rachel Pickett sent a through ball to Callie Hancock who had only the goalkeeper to beat and resulted in Fresno State's second goal of the season. Pickett earned the assist on the play.
Hancock continues to lead the team in shots this season with 12.
The Bulldogs outshot the Roadrunners, 17-6, with 10 shots on goal. Hancock led the team with four shots in the match.
Junior Kaitlyn Revel recorded her first shutout of the season and has 21 career shutouts. She needs one more to tie for second place in Fresno State history. She also had three saves against the `Runners and has 38 saves on the year.
The Valley Cup will stay in Fresno until the two teams meet again in 2010.
"It is a really neat tradition," said Zwaschka. "The fact that last year in the inaugural year it went to CSU Bakersfield and in my first year we brought it back to Fresno is exciting. We will do our best next year to defend it."
The Bulldogs hit the road next weekend to play Pacific on Friday and UC Davis on Sunday.
"We Are Your Team" - The Bulldogs travel to Pacific to take on the Tigers on Friday, September 18th at 7pm. The Bulldogs will return home on Sunday, September 27th as they host Sacramento State in Bulldog Stadium at 2pm. September is Youth Soccer Month and all youth 8th grade and under will receive FREE admission when wearing their youth soccer jersey. For ticket deals and information visit GoBulldogs.com, call or stop by the Bulldogs Ticket Office (559-278-DOGS).
