2016: A season in review

FRESNO, Calif. – The 2016 Fresno State women's soccer team wrapped up its season with much improvement over the previous two years and recorded high marks in offensive and defensive output.

The Bulldogs (10-8-1) shined in front of the Red Wave, winning six home games, their most since 2008 (6), and recorded a six-game home unbeaten streak, their longest such streak since 2010-11 (9). They also matched the program's best winning streak of five games during the season, something the Bulldogs have done only five times, the last time being in 2008.

Eighth-year head coach Brian Zwaschka saw his third winning season, his first since 2013, and has now coached 160 games for the 'Dogs (59-82-19) and is five wins away from winning more games than any other head coach in the program's 22-year history.

The 'Dogs finished Mountain West play with a 5-5-1 record and tied for seventh place in their fifth year in the MW, narrowly missing the conference tournament by two points.

As a team offensively, the Bulldogs ranked fourth among MW members in points (78), goals (28) and assists (22) and seventh in shots (236). Defensively, the 'Dogs recorded the second-most shutouts (7) and ranked fifth in saves (84), while allowing the fewest shots in program history (253).

Individually, two Bulldogs earned all-conference selections, as junior forward Myra Delgadillo was named second-team All-MW for the second straight year and freshman forward Julia Glaser found a spot on the All-Newcomer team. Additionally, three different players were named MW Player of the Week.

How it happened
Fresno State began its season at home for just the second time in the last nine years as the Bulldogs fell 3-2 in double overtime to UC Santa Barbara in front of a season-high 1,064 fans.

Two 'Dogs scored their first collegiate goals in the match – freshman Sydni Lunt, who became the first Bulldog freshman in 15 years to score in a season opener (Heather Fox, 2001), and junior Sara Jo Ciapponi, who scored with less than five minutes left in regulation to send the match into overtime. Ciapponi was named Fresno State's Student-Athlete of the Week after her performance.

The team then dropped its next match 4-2 to CSU Bakersfield in its first road game of the season. Delgadillo scored twice for the second time in her career, becoming the first Bulldog since 2012 to notch two goals through the team's first two games (Callie Hancock). The Bulldogs' four goals through the first two games were the most since 2011 (6).

The 'Dogs next returned home to face No. 20 Pepperdine, the second straight year Fresno State met a ranked opponent, and fell 3-0, the first of three times the Bulldogs were shut out, matching the fewest amount in program history (2007).

Needing a spark, the Bulldogs would kick off their five-game winning streak with a 4-3 comeback victory over Portland State, scoring all four goals in the second half.

In the game, the 'Dogs recorded season-highs in points (12), goals (4), assists (4), shots on goal (11) and corner kicks (9). Fresno State's 12 points were the most in a game for the Bulldogs since joining the Mountain West in 2012 and its four assists were the most since Sept. 8, 2013, when they notched four against Eastern Washington.

Notably, Glaser scored her first collegiate goal in the match and Delgadillo scored the game-winner in the 89th minute. Delgadillo's two assists in the game were the most for a Bulldog since Oct. 5, 2014 (Ariana Holmes). Sophomore goalkeeper Nicole Theroux also notched her first career victory.

Fresno State then found its first shutout of the season with a 1-0 defeat over UC Davis, as Glaser scored the winning goal in the 89th minute. Theroux recorded a career-high 11 saves in her first career shutout victory. This marked the first time in the program history that the Bulldogs have won back-to-back games with goals scored within the last two minutes of regulation.

The 'Dogs' six assists over the weekend were the most in a two-game span since notching six Sept. 21-23, 2012. Following the weekend's road victories, Glaser was named MW Offensive Player of the Week after recording two goals, seven shots and five shots on goal in 137 minutes played.

The Bulldogs next recorded their second straight shutout in a 2-0 home victory against Pacific as senior Amanda Nunes scored her first collegiate goal and Glaser scored in her third-straight game, the first Fresno State freshman in 14 years to have such a streak since Kortney Lewis did so in September 2002. Theroux was also credited with her second-straight shutout.

Fresno State then kept its winning streak alive with a 2-1 win over St. Mary's (CA) as redshirt freshman goalkeeper Alex Best earned her first collegiate victory. The 'Dogs scored nine goals in a four-game span for the first time since 2012. The Bulldogs' 35 points, 13 goals, nine assists, 90 shots and 40 shots on goal through the first seven games of the season were the most since 2011.

In the game, Delgadillo scored a goal and notched an assist. Delgadillo's fourth assist this season brought her point total to 12, the most for a Bulldog through the first seven games since Cortney Sobrero had 16 in 2004. Delgadillo is also the first Bulldog this century to have four assists through the first seven games of the season.

The 'Dogs next shut out Montana 1-0 in the teams' first-ever meeting. Junior forward Peyton Cline scored her second goal of the season and Best recorded her first collegiate shutout while racking up a career-high six saves. Best was then named MW Defensive Player of the Week after allowing no goals and notching seven saves in her two victories over the weekend.

The Bulldogs finished their non-conference schedule with a 5-3 record, their longest winning streak since 2008, and their longest non-conference winning streak since 1999 (6). The 'Dogs' .625 winning percentage was their highest going into conference play since joining the MW in 2012 and their 14 goals and 11 assists through the first eight games were the most since 2011 (15 and 17, respectively).

Fresno State then began MW play with road losses against Nevada (1-0) and 2016 MW Champion UNLV (4-1). The Bulldogs returned home to keep their home unbeaten streak alive with a 1-1 draw against San Diego State and a 3-0 victory over New Mexico.

Through 14 all-time meetings between Fresno State and SDSU, this was the first-ever tie. Sophomore goalkeeper Marie Berwinkel-Kottmann made her first start of the season and recorded seven saves. The last Fresno State win over SDSU was a 4-2 victory on Oct. 27, 2000. The Bulldogs' zero corner kicks in the game were the least in a Bulldog win or tie since defeating Ole Miss 2-1 on Sept. 19, 1999.

This was the first time since 2004 that Fresno State had beaten New Mexico and the first time ever at home. The Bulldogs' 21 shots in the game would be a season-high.

Berwinkel-Kottmann earned her first shutout of the season against UNM and was named MW Defensive Player of the Week after racking up 13 saves, a 0.45 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage in 200 minutes over the weekend.

Fresno State then lost its next two road games against Utah State (4-0) and Boise State (2-1) before returning home to shut out Colorado State 2-0. In the game, freshman Kasidee Wiley scored her first collegiate goal and Delgadillo notched her eighth score of the season, while Berwinkel-Kottmann earned her second shutout of the year.

In what would be the Bulldogs' undoing, Fresno State then fell 2-1 to Wyoming, before hitting the road and shutting out both Colorado College and Air Force in 1-0 victories for the second-straight year.

Against Colorado College, Lunt scored the game-winner and Best and Theroux combined for the shutout. In the 'Dogs' victory over Air Force, Delgadillo scored her ninth goal of the season and Berwinkel-Kottmann recorded the shutout and notched a career-high 10 saves.

Though mathematically eliminated from MW Championship contention, the Bulldogs returned home for senior night to defeat San Jose State 3-2 and spoil the Spartans' chances of winning the MW regular-season title. The 'Dogs beat the Spartans for the first time since 2013 and for the first time at home since 2007.

Fresno State finished its season with the most points, goals and assists since 2011, the most shots on goal since 2012 and the best shooting percentage (.119) since 2007. Defensively, the Bulldogs allowed its fewest goals (30), best goals-against average (1.55) and best save percentage (.737) since 2013.

Who did it
The attack for Fresno State was led by Delgadillo, Glaser, Cline and sophomore Alyssa Nishikawa. The foursome combined for 68 percent of the teams' goals (19-28) and 55 percent of the Bulldogs' assists (12-22).

Delgadillo ranked second in the MW in goals (9) and assists (8), which were the most for a Bulldog since 2014 and 2011, respectively. She also ranked third in points (26) and fourth in shots (57), the most for a 'Dog since 2013.

Glaser ranked ninth in the MW in goals (6), the most for a Bulldog freshman since 2002 (Kortney Lewis, 10). She also added an assist, 45 shots and 16 shots on goal. Her 45 shots were also the most for a freshman since 2002 when Lewis recorded 53.

Cline was third on the team with four goals, 29 shots and 13 shots on goal, all career-highs, and Nishikawa added three assists, 16 shots and nine shots on goal.

In the midfield, senior Alyssa Holsworth captained the team, starting every game and recording a career-high three assists, while Lunt provided needed support, adding three goals on 14 shots.

The defense, which allowed the fewest shots in program history, was composed of juniors Ciapponi, Anna Crawford and Alissa Pham, along with sophomore Olivia Muhrbeck. Ciapponi scored her first collegiate goal during the season, while Crawford, Pham and Muhrbeck each recorded their first assists as Bulldogs.

Splitting time in front of the net for the 'Dogs was a trio of underclassmen goalkeepers, who combined for a 1.55 goals-against average, 84 saves and a .737 save percentage. Berwinkel-Kottmann started seven games (1.27 GAA, 32 saves), Theroux started six games (1.71 GAA, 36 saves) and Best started six games (1.72 GAA, 16 saves).

The bench provided needed support for the Bulldogs, accounting for three goals (Wiley, Nunes & junior Marina Kerrache) and four assists (Wiley, Nunes and juniors Carly Bracken & Angie Weiner).

What's next
The Bulldogs look to return 15 letterwinners and 10 starters in 2017. Zwaschka plans to bring back 10 seniors, four juniors, eight sophomores and two redshirt freshmen, after graduating two student-athletes.

Fresno State Athletics

2016: A season in review

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Players Mentioned

Marie Berwinkel-Kottmann

Alex Best

Carly Bracken

Sara Jo Ciapponi

Peyton Cline

Anna Crawford

Myra Delgadillo

Julia Glaser

Alyssa Holsworth

Marina Kerrache

Sydni Lunt

Olivia Muhrbeck

Alyssa Nishikawa

Amanda Nunes

Alissa Pham

Nicole Theroux

Angie Weiner

Kasidee Wiley

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