Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs Drop Last Game before Mountain West Play
9/21/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - In an exciting matchup with Sacramento State, the Fresno State soccer team fell 2-1 Sunday night at Bulldog Stadium.
Bulldog head coach Brian Zwaschka utilized the opportunity to see new players out on the field with conference play right around the corner. The Fresno State starting lineup consisted of two midfielders who have recorded only their third start for the `Dogs this season, freshman Maria Gomez and sophomore Amanda Nunes.
"We played a really tough match on Friday and played a lot of girls," Zwaschka said. "The reality is that this was our last chance to really see everyone play so we've used a lot of people in the last two games in order to give everybody a chance to show what they bring to the table before we start conference play."
Freshman forward Julia Campos recorded her first goal of the season in the 43rd minute, giving Fresno State the upper hand, 1-0 heading into the half. The goal by Campos was assisted by freshman Peyton Cline who leads the team with four of the five total assists in nine games.
The `Dogs racked up a total of 15 shots and allowing Hornet goalkeeper Kimberly Mata eight saves on the night.
"The idea that we are creating chances is great, but there's that final moment where we just don't quite have that killer instinct," Zwaschka added. "You need a little bit of ice in your veins so that you don't panic and can put the final touch on it and that's been missing, but if we weren't getting chances then I would be really concerned. We are getting chances and getting into dangerous areas and moving the ball okay but the next piece is the finishing touch."
Five minutes into the second half, Sacramento State was granted a penalty shot taken by sophomore Lydia Bowman that got past Bulldog goalkeeper Alyssa Wilson. Bowman went on to assist the game winning goal in the 76th minute by freshman Kylee Smith.
Wilson made her fifth start in the box for Fresno State in which she had five saves for the Bulldogs, giving the returning goalkeeper 29 total saves in the 393 minutes played.
Fresno State will face New Mexico on Friday, Sept. 26 in what will be the first 2014-15 Mountain West conference game for the `Dogs. The Lobos hold a 2-3 recorded heading into Friday's matchup with the Bulldogs (1-8).
"We still have a lot of work to do and it's going to continue to be a learning process," Zwaschka said. "I wish we had a little bit more confidence from some wins going into conference play but the good thing is the team spirit is fine, we know we're a young group that's learning and we're not going to stop working. We will put the pieces together and we'll be ready."
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