Fresno State Athletics
Regular Season Begins for Bulldogs
8/16/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 16, 2011
Fresno State Soccer Weekly Release
FRESNO, Calif. - A road trip to Texas is how Fresno State women's soccer opens its 2011 regular season. Matchups with No. 11 Texas A&M and UTSA await the Bulldogs in the lone star state.
About the Aggies
Texas A&M is ranked No. 11 in the NSCAA/adidas preseason poll and has returned seven starters from the 2010 squad. Senior Merritt Mathias and sophomore Rachel Lenz were selected to the All-Big 12 preseason team. Matthias and Lenz were named to the All-Big 12 first team and Big 12 newcomer team, respectively, at the end of the 2010 season. The reigning Big 12 champions went 15-5-3 in 2010 and are predicted to finish second in the league this year.
About the Roadrunners
The University of Texas, San Antonio is the reigning Southland Conference tournament champions. Sophomores Anka Grotle and Maria Jose Rojas were named to the preseason first and second teams, respectively. Predicted to finish third this year by the conference's head coaches, the Roadrunners return 16 letterwinners. UTSA finished 2010 with a 13-8-2 record.
New Field, Renewed Fun
The Fresno State women's soccer team is moving to a field of their own. After 16 seasons in Bulldog Stadium, the 'Dogs begin breaking in their new Fresno State Soccer and Lacrosse Field in 2011. Fresno State has a 76-46-10 home record over the years in Bulldog Stadium and look to continue their success into the new era on the new field.
Olympic Dreams
Sophomore Lauren Lindstrom was the first Bulldog under Head Coach Brian Zwaschka to be invited to the U.S. National U-20 camp. The 2010 WAC All-Tournament defender started 21 of the 'Dogs 23 games last season while logging 2,018 minutes. The camp committee will watch Lindstrom closely over the course of her season and decide whether she has made the cut this winter.
Old Souls and Fresh Faces
With more than half the starting lineup from last year's Western Athletic Conference championship team graduating, the Bulldogs welcomed back 13 returners and introduced 11 newcomers on the 2011 squad.
Top 'Dogs
Key returners for the Bulldogs this season include seniors Kendall VanDine and Molly Nizzoli, junior Vanessa Gonzalez and sophomore Lauren Lindstrom. VanDine, Gonzalez and Lindstrom were among the stat leaders in nearly every category for the 2010 season.
Molly's Back In Midfield
Senior Molly Nizzoli is back in the midfiled and ready to play. The Galt, Calif. native played in just nine matches last year before suffering a season ending injury. She has started 46 out of 48 games played as a Bulldog and earned second team All-WAC honors as a freshman after recording four goals and three assists her inaugural season.
'Dogs Dominating Defense Returns
Three of the five defenders responsible for the Bulldogs league-high nine shutouts return for the 2011 season. Kendall VanDine, Lauren Lindstrom and Kayla Kret bring their championship experience to the new 'Dogs.
There's a Kiwi on the Roster
Auckland, New Zealand native Nadia Pearl is one of the newest additions to the Bulldog roster. She was a member of the New Zealand U-17 World Cup team (2008) and U-20 World Cup team (2010).
Bulldogs Seeing Double
A pair of twins have joined the Fresno State women's soccer team, Henriette and Pernille Ingvaldsen. The Sarpsborg, Norway native freshmen will be split between offense and defense respectively.
The Award Goes To...
Senior Kendall VanDine earned her second consecutive All-WAC preseason team nod. The only Bulldog recognized on the 2011 All-WAC preseason poll, VanDine was also named to the 2010 WAC All-Tournament team with Vanessa Gonzalez, Lauren Lindstrom and Katie Lee.
Smart Dogs
Fresno State had four Bulldogs earn Academic All-District honors from CoSIDA. Megan Ashjian and Katie Lee were selected to first-team. This is the second year Lee has earned all-district honors. Kendall VanDine and Claudia Cardenas were named to the third-team. Lee became the first Bulldog in program history to earn Academic All-American honors.
A Storm Has Blown Into Fresno
Maureen Whitney, former player in the Women's Professional Soccer League, joined the Fresno State women's soccer coaching staff in 2011 as an assistant. A five-time all-star, Whitney spent 10 years with the California Storm and has played alongside former and current national team players such as Brandi Chastain and Aly Wagoner.
Bulldogs in Extra Minutes
The Bulldogs took eight games into extra minutes in 2010, including a streak of three consecutive overtime matches. The 'Dogs were 2-2-4 in overtime games last season. Fresno State earned a win over Texas State, Idaho, a loss against UC Davis and San Jose State and tied UC Santa Barbara, Boise State, Nevada and CSU Bakersfield.
WAC Tournament Wrap Up
Fresno State won its second WAC Tournament title in three years after defeating top seed San Jose State in penalty kicks. The 'Dogs and Spartans played 110 minutes of scoreless soccer before the champion was decided in four penalty kicks from each team. The 'Dogs also shut out Idaho and Utah State en route to the final game. It is the first WAC title and NCAA appearance under second year Zwaschka.
NCAA Tournament History
The Bulldogs have appeared in four NCAA Tournaments. Fresno State has a tournament record of 0-4. The 'Dogs first appearance was in 1999 hosting Cal Poly. Fresno State lost the match to the Mustangs 2-1. The Bulldogs also made appearrances in 2005, 2008 and 2010.
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