Rebels Survive Relentless Bulldogs

Sunday, October 25

Fresno, Calif.

1:00 PM

Fresno State

10-9-0, 5-5-0MW

UNLV

5-11-1, 4-5-1MW

UNLV

Fresno State

Rebels Survive Relentless Bulldogs

10/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Oct. 25, 2015

Box Score | Photo Gallery

By Jason Kelm
jakelm@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State soccer team dropped its match 2-1 against UNLV on Senior Day at the Fresno State Soccer and Lacrosse Field Sunday afternoon despite getting off 32 shots, two shy of the school record.

"We came out to win today," Fresno State head coach Brian Zwaschka said. "We wanted to push for our seniors, so we threw everything that we had offensively at our opponent today. We created loads of chances, but the quality of the finishing wasn't there and a few moments of bad luck kept the ball out of the net. I was certain we were going to come back and at least take it to overtime."

UNLV jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first half, getting goals in the 24th and 32nd minutes. Fresno State sophomore forward Alissa Pham countered in the 73rd minute for her second goal of the season after receiving a pass in a crowded box from junior Angie Weiner, who recorded her second assist on the year.

Even with the loss to the Rebels (10-9-0, 5-5-0 MW), the Bulldogs (5-11-1, 4-5-1 MW) are still in contention to qualify for the Mountain West Championships, in which the top six teams receive invites. The 'Dogs are currently in ninth place, behind a four-way tie for fifth, with one regular season game left.

The Rebels were able to survive a relentless attack by the 'Dogs, whose 32 shots in the game were only two shy of the school record, 22 coming in the second half.

"Playing home, we always want to try and be the aggressor," Zwaschka added. "Generally we're a team that tries to keep the ball and generate some attack. In the later part of our season, we finally started clicking, and today was no different, but sometimes it's a cruel game."

Fresno State sophomore Peyton Cline led the team with seven shots, while Pham and junior Alyssa Holsworth added five each.

Freshman Marie Berwinkel-Kottmann started her eighth-straight game for the Bulldogs and saved one goal, giving her 45 in 12 games and moving her into 10th place for career saves at Fresno State. The 'Dogs owned advantages in shots (32-8) and shots on goal (8-3).

Four senior Bulldogs played their final home game at Fresno State on Sunday. Fresno native Sam Brechmann has appeared in 72 games in her career and scored her lone collegiate goal against Boise State earlier in the year. Rancho Cucamonga native Rianna Cota has appeared in 65 games in her career and her lone collegiate assist came during her freshman year against CSU Bakersfield. Visalia native Alyssa Cruz has appeared in 76 games in her career and recorded her lone collegiate assist during her sophomore year against Nevada. Fanny Johansson has appeared in 61 games in her career and has recorded two goals as a Bulldog.

"It's always hard for me every single year because you spend a lot of time through the recruitment process with the players and their families," Zwaschka said. "When they commit to you and they actually get here, teaching them and watching them grow, every year it's really special, and this class is no different with a group of four young ladies that have completely changed on the field in terms of their game and have developed into special young women. To see all those things come together and then you have to say goodbye, that kind of stinks."

What's Next
Fresno State closes out the regular season at San Jose State (9-7-2, 7-3-0) on Friday afternoon. The match will air live on the Mountain West Network.

"The bottom line is we need to keep doing what we're doing," Zwaschka said. "We need to find that little bit of poise in finishing, whether it's the entry pass or it's actually getting those shots in the box. That fact that we're creating opportunities is the first step, and we know that. We have to go in there and really put everything on the line and go for it, and we're capable of it."

San Diego State, New Mexico and San Jose State all clinched berths in the MW Championships with wins on Sunday. Nevada, Air Force and Colorado State have been mathematically eliminated.

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