Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Cal State Northridge
Comeback Falls Short, 'Dogs Drop Home Opener 2-1
9/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
By Jason Kelm
jakelm@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. -- The Fresno State soccer team was stopped short against CSUN (4-1-0) on Friday night as it lost 2-1 to the Matadors in the Bulldogs' home opener at the Soccer and Lacrosse Field in front of a crowd of over 800 fans. Fresno State junior defender Angie Weiner scored her first career goal in the 81st minute, but it was too little too late.
"Obviously we are disappointed to drop another loss," Fresno State head coach Brian Zwaschka said. "But it is certainly exciting to be at home and play in front of our fans. In the first half, I think we were almost nervous to play at home in front of our own fans as opposed to just being settled down and ready to perform. We got behind and by the time we got in at the half, everybody kind of looked around at each other and recognized that we really are the ones that can control that. We came out and we put together a great second half and got our first goal, which is progress in itself, and you know we will just look forward to Sunday."
Fresno State freshman goalkeeper Nicole Theroux played the entire match for the 'Dogs, recorded three saves and allowed two goals. Theroux gave up both goals to CSUN's Cynthia Sanchez in the 20th and 32nd minutes.
The Bulldogs (0-5-0) picked up the tempo in the second half as they got off eight shots, compared to three in the first half.
Weiner, who had not scored a goal since high school, was able to get Fresno State on the board for the first time this season and credited a team effort.
"It's just exciting," Weiner said. "We have been waiting to score that first goal, so it's not even an individual celebration, it's completely a team celebration there. We just want to keep moving forward and keep scoring more goals."
CSUN slightly outshot Fresno State 13-11 and both teams had five shots on goal.
The Bulldogs are now focused on Sunday's match against Cal Poly (1-2-2), which dropped Friday night's match 1-0 to No. 2 Stanford in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
"First and foremost it's about recovery and re-assessing some things," Zwaschka said. "We are still working on getting a few key players healthy, so tomorrow will give us a chance to make sure that everyone is taking care of themselves so they can perform on Sunday."
Sunday's match is slated to begin at 7 p.m. at the Soccer and Lacrosse Field. Fans are encouraged to bring a gently used book or two for the book drive benefiting Reading And Beyond.
"Be Bold" -- Stay connected with the Bulldogs on Facebook (Fresno State Athletics), Instagram (FresnoStateAthletics), Twitter (@FSAthletics) and Snapchat (FSAthletics).
