’Dogs to open season with Biggest Soccer Match Ever

Friday, August 19

Fresno, Calif.

7 p.m. PT

Fresno State

UCSB

Photo by: Keith Kountz

’Dogs to open season with Biggest Soccer Match Ever

8/17/2016 8:18:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery (by Rick Dodd)

Meet-and-greet with radio personalities, halftime giveaways and football ticket specials highlight Friday’s match against UC Santa Barbara; gates open at 5 p.m. PT

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State women's soccer team opens its 2016 season on Friday against UC Santa Barbara at the Fresno State Soccer and Lacrosse Field at 7 p.m. PT. All Fresno State women's soccer home matches include free admission and parking in the Red Lot. Gates open at 5 p.m. on Friday.

To celebrate the first Spanish language radio broadcast of an NCAA women's soccer game, radio personalities Don Cheto and Piolin are making appearances, taking photos and signing autographs. Don Cheto is scheduled to appear from 5-7 p.m. and Piolin will appear from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The match will be broadcast live on KGST-AM 1600 ESPN Deportes.

At halftime, an exciting penalty shootout competition will take place. All fans will get a chance to win prizes as TV and radio personalities, as well as select fans, will have the opportunity to take a shot against Fresno State's all-time saves leader Jennifer Johnstone, who played for the Bulldogs from 1996-99.

Fresno State Athletics will also be selling $8 tickets to the Sept. 10 football home opener against Sacramento State. This is a one-time-only sale that will take place at the soccer game from 5-9 p.m. A $60 Family Plan to the football home opener will also be available, which includes four tickets, a parking pass, four hot dogs and four soft drinks.

The match will also stream live on the Mountain West Network.

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The Fresno State women's soccer team will kick off its 22nd season on Friday with its earliest home opener in program history. The Bulldogs are scheduled to host 10 games this season, including five nonconference games, the most since 2008.

After going 4-6-1 in MW play in 2015, the 'Dogs return nine starters and 12 letterwinners, including 2015 All-MW second-team selections Myra Delgadillo and Maria Gomez. Senior captain Alyssa Holsworth will command the middle of the field for the Bulldogs, while the starting goalkeeper will be a game-time decision between returning sophomores Marie Berwinkel-Kottmann and Nicole Theroux and redshirt freshman Alex Best.

Fresno State begins its season against the 2015 Big West co-Champion Gauchos, who were picked to finish second in the Big West in the league's preseason coaches' poll last week. UCSB will be led by sophomore midfield/forward Mallory Hromatko and junior forward Amanda Ball, a pair of Big West preseason All-Conference Team selections.

On Sunday, the Bulldogs travel to Bakersfield to face the Roadrunners for the first time since 2012. CSU Bakersfield was slated to finish fourth in the Western Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll and preseason All-WAC Team selections included Aminah Settles, who earned WAC Freshman of the Year honors in 2015, and junior midfielder Maja Green.

Fresno State Opponent History

vs. UC Santa Barbara (Fri., Aug. 19, 2016, 7 p.m. PT) – 2015: 13-6-1, 6-2-0 Big West
Live video: Mountain West Network
Live stats: Click here
All-time: Fresno State leads 5-3-1
In Fresno: Fresno State leads 3-1-1
Under Zwaschka: UCSB leads 2-0-1
Last meeting: UCSB 2, Fresno State 0 (8/23/2013 – Santa Barbara, Calif.)
Last meeting in Fresno: Tied 0-0 (9/24/2010)
Last Fresno State win: Fresno State 2, UCSB 1 (9/30/2001 – Fresno, Calif.)

at Bakersfield (Sun., Aug. 21, 2016, 7 p.m. PT) – 2015: 6-12-3, 3-5-2 WAC
Live video: WAC Digital Network
Live stats: Click here
All-time: Fresno State leads 6-1-2
In Bakersfield: Tied 1-1-1
Under Zwaschka: Fresno State leads 3-0-1
Last meeting: Fresno State 3, Bakersfield 0 (9/21/2012 – Fresno, Calif.)
Last meeting in Bakersfield: Fresno State 3, Bakersfield 1 (10/2/2011)
Last CSU Bakersfield win: Bakersfield 2, Fresno State 1 (8/29/2008 – Bakersfield, Calif.)

"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.