Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
1-8-1
Utah State
6-5-1
'Dogs Drop MW Home Opener
10/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
By Jason Kelm
jakelm@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State soccer team dropped its Mountain West home opener 3-2 to Utah State (6-5-1, 1-2-0 MW) on Friday night in front of over 700 fans at the Fresno State Soccer and Lacrosse Field. This is the second-straight loss in MW play for the Bulldogs (1-8-1, 0-2-1 MW) after last Friday's draw at Colorado State.
"Utah State is always a good team that is very sturdy in their play and balanced," Fresno State head coach Brian Zwaschka said. "They're patient and wait for their chances and they took those chances when they got them tonight."
The 'Dogs were the first on the board as senior Fanny Johansson placed one in the net in the 31st minute after a well-timed pass from sophomore Myra Delgadillo. This was Johansson's first goal of the season and second of her career.
Just 10 minutes later, Utah State's Wesley Hamblin was able to get one by Fresno State goalkeeper Marie Berwinkel-Kottmann to head into halftime all tied up (1-1) and Fresno State leading in shots (7-6) and shots on goal (4-1).
As the second half began, both teams came out aggressive, which resulted in the teams trading successful penalty kicks. Utah State's Jayne Robison got one nine minutes into the half, just to be equalized by Bulldog sophomore Myra Delgadillo three minutes later for her first collegiate goal.
A healthy back and forth continued until Robison was able to get one by the Fresno State defenders with less than seven minutes to play for the game winner.
"We kept the ball well, but it's about keeping the ball and actually converting opportunities into scoring chances," Zwaschka said. "We need to be a little bit more ruthless in front of the goal and make things happen."
Berwinkel-Kottmann, in her second start and fifth appearance for the Bulldogs at the goalkeeper position, came away with four saves, giving her a total of 19 on the season. This was Berwinkel-Kottmann's first action since an Aug. 30 match at Oregon.
Sophomore Marina Kerrache and senior Rianna Cota led Fresno State with three shots each and all of Cota's shots were on goal. Delgadillo recorded her second assist this season and junior Angie Weiner had her first collegiate assist.
Fresno State outshot Utah State 16-12 and each team had seven shots on goal, both season-highs for the Bulldogs.
Utah State's goalkeeper Jeannie Woller had five saves, bringing her season total to 70 saves in 2015. Woller has a career total of 278.
What's Next
The Bulldogs host Boise State (3-6-3, 1-2-0 MW) on Sunday at noon. The Broncos lost to San Jose State 2-1 in overtime on Friday night.
This report was contributed to by Katie Delphia.
"Be Bold" - Stay connected with the Bulldogs on Facebook (Fresno State Athletics), Instagram (FresnoStateAthletics), Twitter (@FSAthletics) and Snapchat (FSAthletics).
Team Stats
JOHANSSON, Fanny (1)
Assisted By: WEINER, Angie , DELGADILLO, Myra
GOAL by FS JOHANSSON, Fanny (FIRST GOAL), Assist by WEINER, Angie and DELGADILLO, Myra, goal number 1 for season.
30:39
HAMBLIN, Wesley (3)
GOAL by US HAMBLIN, Wesley, goal number 3 for season.
40:34
ROBISON, Jayne (2)
US ROBISON, Jayne PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 2 for season.
54:09
DELGADILLO, Myra (1)
FS DELGADILLO, Myra PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 1 for season.
56:39
ROBISON, Jayne (3)
Assisted By: HAMBLIN, Wesley
GOAL by US ROBISON, Jayne, Assist by HAMBLIN, Wesley, goal number 3 for season.
83:46
