Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Furman
Bulldogs outlast Furman 7-4 at Bulldog Stadium
3/7/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
By Jason Kelm
jakelm@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's lacrosse team is off to its best start in program history as it defeated Furman 7-4 on Monday evening at Bulldog Stadium. The Paladins' four goals are the lowest the Bulldogs have ever given up in a game.
"It was a great win," Fresno State head coach Jessica Giglio said. "Last year they beat us on their home turf and it's something that has been on our minds. We really wanted to come out and prove that we can hang with them and that we should be winning. We have put so much work into this season so it was great to get that win."
In a tough defensive battle, Fresno State freshman Sarah Bloise scored her first of two goals within the first three minutes of the game before Furman answered with two of its own. Bloise came right back to score her second goal with 19 minutes left in the first half and the score would remain 2-2 going into halftime.
The 'Dogs (3-3, 0-2 MPSF) came on strong in the second half after sophomores Nicole Ortlieb and Lindsay Hobson scored within the first two minutes.
Defense then took over, keeping the game at 4-2 for the next 20 minutes until Ortlieb scored her team-leading 15th goal of the season.
"I told them at halftime, the team that has the most heart is going to win this game," Giglio said. "We wanted to hold the ball until we got good shots and perfect opportunities. Our defense had some very huge momentum which was fantastic."
The Paladins' Devon Horine answered immediately with her 13th goal of the year to close the gap to 5-3 with five minutes remaining.
Fresno State junior Chelsea Hall and sophomore Abigail Bergevin then scored for the Bulldogs to extend the lead to 7-3 before Furman found the back of the net with less than a minute remaining in a last-ditch effort.
The Paladins (3-3, 0-0 Atlantic Sun) outshot the Bulldogs 16-15 and won the draw control battle 9-4, but Fresno State grabbed more ground balls (11-9) and had eight turnovers compared to Furman's 11.
In the first half, Bulldog goalkeeper Meganne Weissenfels racked up five saves and would finish the game with six total.
Bulldog Bites
- Fresno State won its second-straight nonconference home game.
- This is Fresno State's second win against an Atlantic Sun opponent this season.
- Fresno State has reached three wins faster than any season in program history.
- Fresno State set a record-low for goals allowed in a game (4).
- Fresno State's seven goals and four draw controls are the lowest-ever in a win.
What's next?
The Bulldogs head to Eugene, Ore., this weekend to face George Mason on Friday and Oregon on Sunday.
"Be Bold" - Stay connected with the Bulldogs on Facebook (Fresno State Athletics), Instagram (FresnoStateAthletics), Twitter (@FSAthletics) and Snapchat (FSAthletics).
