Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs begin six-game MPSF stretch with SDSU
3/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
By Jason Kelm
jakelm@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's lacrosse team begins its final six-game Mountain Pacific Sports Federation stretch at San Diego State on Sunday at 2 p.m. PT at the Aztec Lacrosse Field. The game will air live via links on GoAztecs.com.
The Bulldogs (3-6, 0-3 MPSF) wrapped up their nonconference play with a 3-3 record after falling to Drexel 15-5 on Wednesday. The three nonconference wins this season are the most in program history.
Fresno State lost its first three MPSF matches this season to Denver (15-3), Colorado (18-4) and Oregon (15-10). The remaining games for the Bulldogs include home games against No. 8 USC (March 31), No. 9 Stanford (April 15) and Saint Mary's (April 24), and away games against San Diego State (March 27), Cal (April 3) and UC Davis (April 19).
Game 10: Fresno State (3-6, 0-3 MPSF) at San Diego State Aztecs (2-6, 1-1 MPSF)
Sunday, March 27, 2016 - 2 p.m. PT - San Diego, Calif. (Aztec Lacrosse Field)
Live Video: GoAztecs.com
Live Stats: Click Here
Series History: SDSU leads 4-0 (overall); SDSU leads 2-0 (games played in San Diego)
Last Meeting: SDSU 15, Fresno State 4 (3/8/15 - San Diego, Calif.)
Bulldog Bites
- Fresno State has begun the season with the most assists per game (2.67), shots per game (19.56), shots on goal per game (14.89), ground balls per game (19.56) and best goals against average (12.00) in program history.
- As of Friday morning, Fresno State is ranked No. 12 in the nation and second in the MPSF with 19.56 ground balls per game.
- Sophomore Nicole Ortlieb leads Fresno State with 20 points (19 goals and one assist). Her 19 goals rank third-best in the MPSF.
- Senior Anjelica Fuccillo leads the Bulldogs with five assists.
- Freshman Sarah Bloise leads the team with 40 shots and 32 shots on goal and is second on the team with 14 goals.
- Junior Kyleigh Westgarth leads Fresno State with 29 draw controls.
- Junior captain Caroline Dineen-Carlson leads the Bulldogs with nine caused turnovers.
- Redshirt junior goalkeeper Meganne Weissenfels leads the team with 20 ground balls and her 55 saves rank fourth in the MPSF.
About the Aztecs (2-6, 1-1 MPSF)
San Diego State is coming off of a 1-1 MPSF opening weekend, defeating Saint Mary's 17-4 on March 18 before falling to California 10-9 in overtime on March 20. The Aztecs are scheduled to face Oregon on Friday before facing the Bulldogs on Sunday.
As a team, San Diego State has been outscored 100-78 and outshot 231-180 and goes into the weekend with a 12.44 goals-against average.
The Aztecs are led offensively by senior Alexa Comfort's 14 goals this season on 34 shots and 28 shots on goal.
Weissenfels named MPSF Defensive Player of the Week
Weissenfels earned her second career weekly accolade for games played March 6 through March 13 and is the second Bulldog to receive a weekly honor this season. Freshman Sarah Bloise was named MPSF Rookie of the Week on Feb. 29.
Weissenfels racked up 26 saves over three games and allowed an all-time program-low four goals in the Bulldogs' 7-4 win over Furman. She also saved a season-high 11 goals and grabbed a game-high seven ground balls at Oregon and had nine saves against George Mason.
Dineen-Carlson and Westgarth prove to be force in the midfield
Junior captain Caroline Dineen-Carlson, who scored a program-record 30 goals last season, has come out as a leader in the midfield this year and is now Fresno State's all-time leader in draw controls (89) after passing Sara Weber (2010-13) on March 13 at Oregon. Junior Kyleigh Westgarth is not far behind, just three draw controls shy of Dineen-Carlson with 86.
Aragon strong on the defensive front
Senior captain Sophia Aragon, Fresno State's all-time leader in ground balls (84), continues to be the main voice for the defense this season. She also has 38 career caused turnovers, just seven shy of tying program-leader Krisdina Gehring (2009-11).
Fuccillo provides needed support
Senior Anjelica Fuccillo, Fresno State's all-time leader in free-position goals (18), has provided needed depth for the Bulldogs and leads the team with five assists.
Fuccillo is on track to play the most games in program history and her 90 career points are five shy from tying Marcy Levatino (2012-15) as the Fresno State all-time points leader.
Nicole Ortlieb climbs into the Bulldog record book
Ortlieb came into the season following the best freshman year in program history and picked up where she left off. Through just one and a half seasons with the program, Ortlieb has made an appearance on top 10 career lists in the Fresno State record book.
- Ortlieb ranks No. 1 in goals per game (1.67) and shooting percentage (.597).
- Ortlieb ranks No. 2 in points per game (1.79).
- Ortlieb ranks No. 4 in shots per game (2.79) and shots on goal per game (2.33).
- Ortlieb ranks No. 6 in total goals (40).
- Ortlieb ranks No. 7 in total points (43) and total shots on goal (56).
- Ortlieb ranks No. 9 in total shots (67).
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