Comeback falls short as ’Dogs drop season opener 3-2 (2 OT)

Friday, August 19

Fresno, Calif.

7 p.m. PT

Fresno State

0-1

UCSB

1-0

OT 3

OT 4

UC Santa Barbara

Fresno State

Photo by: Rick Dodd

Comeback falls short as ’Dogs drop season opener 3-2 (2 OT)

8/19/2016 11:04:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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

Junior Sara Jo Ciapponi and freshman Sydni Lunt each scored their first collegiate goals for the Bulldogs

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State women's soccer team came just short of a comeback after dropping its season opener 3-2 to UC Santa Barbara in double overtime on Friday night at the Fresno State Soccer and Lacrosse Field to a crowd of over 1,000.

Fresno State junior Sara Jo Ciapponi and freshman Sydni Lunt each scored their first collegiate goals for the Bulldogs, while freshman Kasidee Wiley recorded an assist.

The Gauchos came out firing, scoring their first goal in the 13th minute and their second in the 19^th minute, both by junior forward Amanda Ball. The Bulldog defense would find its rhythm and allow only one more shot before going into halftime with a 2-0 deficit.

"We came out and we played and got back in to the groove of our game plan," Fresno State head coach Brian Zwaschka said. "The goals were made so early so we had plenty of time to respond, and I was really proud that we did."

The Bulldogs would finally find the back of the net in the 60th minute after a header by Lunt off a corner kick by Wiley.

"The reality of it is, we just played an exhibition against Sacramento State, we had 12 corner kicks and we didn't score," Zwaschka said. "It was something that we knew we needed to address. So, our first corner kick of the season was tremendous."

Fresno State continued to attack the net as time was winding down. With less than five minutes remaining in regulation, Ciapponi stole the ball just outside the box and sent it in just inside the left side of the frame.

"It was an awesome experience," Ciapponi said. "I knew that we needed to come back and get a goal to stay in the game. I just wanted to get our team back in the game. That was really what we needed."

Both teams were held scoreless through the first overtime, but Ball notched a hat trick with a Golden Goal just as the second overtime began.

Fresno State redshirt freshman Alex Best started the game as goalkeeper for the Bulldogs and sophomore Nicole Theroux came in at halftime to finish up the game.

"Both of them are really good goalkeepers," Zwaschka said. "And to be fair, we have a third really good goalkeeper who didn't get minutes today. It is a big challenge for us to select them because they all bring something to the table and are all very quality players. We are very happy to have all of them."

Fresno State heads to Bakersfield on Sunday to take on the Roadrunners at 7 p.m. PT. Bakersfield lost its home opener on Friday to Sacramento State (2-0).

"It's very simple," Zwaschka said. We just need to stick to our game plan. There is bound to be some nerves, and I think that is what got us. We started fast and then had a real early pull and it really hurt us. It caught up to us for the rest of the match. Our response also showed what we are capable of and we just need to do that from minute one."