Soccer Earns Third-Straight Win

Friday, September 3

Miami, Fla.

4:00 PM

Fresno State

3-2

Florida International

2-3

Fresno State

FIU

Senior Nicole Duff scored her first career goal against FIU.

Soccer Earns Third-Straight Win

9/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 3, 2010

Box Score

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's soccer team recorded their third-straight win Friday night. The Bulldogs beat Florida International University 2-1 on the road. The `Dogs are 3-2 this season.

"I thought we played a complete game," said head coach Brian Zwaschka. "FIU is a very strong and fast team. We stayed organized and moved the ball well. It was disappointing to concede a goal in the second half, but we had a good grip and continued to play our game. We were able to get the goal back and managed the rest of the game. Overall, I was really proud of the team and their performance."

The Bulldogs have faced the Golden Panthers twice in the last three years and have won both matches by a goal. The team last met in 2008 and the `Dogs won 1-0.

The `Dogs struck first with a goal in the 30th minute from senior Claudia Cardenas, who transferred to Fresno State from FIU. Laura Dodd got free on the wing and played the ball into the 18-yeard box, where Nicole Duff was crashing the net. Duff laid the ball off to Cardenas who hit the far corner giving the `Dogs the 1-0 lead. Cardenas leads the team in goals with two and she has seven career goals.

"The first goal was a well put together," said Zwaschka. "There was excellent early movement and good technique allowed Laura to play an early ball. Nicole was where she needed to be and played it to Claudia for the goal. It was a great team effort."

Dodd and Duff recorded assists on the play. By half time the Bulldogs out shot the Golden Panthers 6-1 and lead 1-0.

In the 52nd minute, Chelsea Leiva scored the equalizing goal for FIU. She capitalized on a rebounded shot and shot to the right side of the goal.

Senior Nicole Duff scored in the 64th minute giving the `Dogs the lead 2-1. Molly Nizzoli took the ball wide and found Kendall VanDine. The junior hit an early service into the box and Duff volleyed the ball in for her first career goal. VanDine earned her second assist of the year on the play.

"The second goal we were pressing on later in the game after conceding the equalizer," said Zwaschka. "It was good to see the team build the goal. It was exciting to see Nicole score because it was her first and she had a hand in both goals."

Goalkeeper Kaitlyn Revel recorded her third win and recorded four saves. The Bulldogs had 11 shots, while the Golden Panthers have five.

Molly Nizzoli and Duff led the team with three shots a piece in the game. Nizzoli has a team-high 13 shots this year.

"It was a special game for us because our travel was difficult with delays," said Zwaschka. "We got the team up early to shake off the travel bugs and they responded well. They came together as a team and it was really terrific to see a mature, whole team effort in the game."

The Bulldogs finish the Florida road trip with a match on Sunday, Sept. 5 against Florida Atlantic University. The game kicks off at 7:00 a.m. pacific time.

"We Are Your Team" The `Dogs finish up their road trip on Sept. 5 against FAU. Fresno State kicks off the tournament against the Golden Panthers on Friday night. The Bulldogs return home on Sept. 12 and play the Aggies of UC Davis. Admission to all soccer games is free for everyone.