Bulldogs finish season strong with 3-2 victory over SJSU

Thursday, October 27

Fresno, Calif.

7 p.m. PT

Fresno State

10-8-1, 5-5-1

San Jose State

10-5-4, 7-3-1

San Jose State

Fresno State

Bulldogs finish season strong with 3-2 victory over SJSU

10/27/2016 10:43:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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On a rainy Thursday night, the ’Dogs capped their season off with a three-game winning streak

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State women's soccer team capped off its 2016 season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over San Jose State on a rainy Thursday night at the Fresno State Soccer and Lacrosse Field. The Bulldogs finished their season on a three-game winning streak and won four of their final five matches.

"We are super proud of our seniors," Fresno State head coach Brian Zwaschka said. "We are happy we could send them out with a win against a very good team. We just have to make sure that we are a little more ruthless in the games along the way. It is a very exciting finish to build on."

The Bulldogs beat the Spartans for the first time since 2013 and for the first time at home since 2007. Fresno State has finished its season with a 6-3-1 home record, its most home wins since 2008.

In the match, the 'Dogs saw goals scored by juniors Peyton Cline and Alissa Pham and freshman Julia Glaser, while junior Myra Delgadillo and Glaser recorded assists.

The Spartans started the game off strong, scoring in the ninth minute, while the Bulldogs did not get their first shot off until the 22nd minute of the match.

Pham would finally answer for Fresno State in the 33rd minute, dribbling up to the goalkeeper just outside the box and placing one past her into the right side of the net. The goal was Pham's first of the year and fourth of her career. The teams went into halftime 1-1 and SJSU led in shots 6-5.

Sophomore goalkeeper Marie Berwinkel-Kottmann started the game for the 'Dogs, but did not record any saves. Sophomore Nicole Theroux came in at halftime and would finish out the game for the Bulldogs in the net.

Fresno State began the second half on the attack, with Glaser scoring her sixth goal of the season and first game-winning goal in the 52nd minute after getting the rebound off a Delgadillo shot off the left post and sending it just to the left of the Spartan goalkeeper. The assist was Delgadillo's eighth of the year, the most for a Bulldog since 2011 (Molly Nizzoli, 10).

Just five minutes later, Cline received a long pass from Glaser, dodged the goalkeeper and sent one into the net from 17 yards out for her fourth score of the season to give Fresno State a 3-1 lead. Glaser's assist was her first of the season.

"I think it was a little bit of wobbly focus in the beginning in terms of the game plan," Zwaschka said. "We kind of executed it and we kind of didn't. Even when it was 1-0, we created some other good chances and I was very pleased that we made it 1-1, of course. By the time we really stared zeroing in on the game plan, we really started getting the plays we were going after."

SJSU would take 15 shots in the second half and score in the 66th minute, but the Bulldog defense would not allow the Spartans to get another in the net, as Theroux notched seven saves for the 'Dogs. Fresno State's three goals tie the most given up by San Jose State this season.

The Bulldogs said goodbye to two seniors on Thursday night, Alyssa Holsworth and Amanda Nunes. Holsworth finished the year with three assists and 15 shots, while Nunes, who missed conference play due to an injury, recorded a game-winning goal, an assist and three shots in her final year.

"It was a really competitive game," Holsworth said. "San Jose is a tough team, so it felt really good to come out with the win, especially on the last game of my career. It means a lot to me. I have made some of my best friends here. I have worked hard and I have learned lessons that I will remember for the rest of my life. I will always remember my time as a Bulldog."

Fresno State (10-8-1, 5-5-1 MW) is currently tied with Wyoming for sixth place in the Mountain West. The Cowgirls own the tiebreaker between the two teams, which mathematically eliminates the 'Dogs from contention for the 2016 MW Championship. The Spartans (10-5-4, 7-3-1 MW) remain in second place in the MW.

"Obviously we are disappointed that we are not seeing the postseason," Zwaschka said. "I do think this is a team that deserves to be there, and would do well there. We can't do anything but make sure we focus on fixing the mistakes that we made and make sure we come back with more resilience and ruthlessness. We had a very young team this year. Once Amanda Nunes got hurt, we were down to only one senior playing, and the reality is that apart from Amanda's goal, we are returning all of our goals next year."

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.