Bulldogs outlast Gaels 2-1, extend win streak to four

Friday, September 16

Fresno, Calif.

7 p.m. PT

Fresno State

4-3

Saint Mary's

1-7-1

St. Mary's (CA)

Fresno State

Photo by: Kiel Maddox

Bulldogs outlast Gaels 2-1, extend win streak to four

9/16/2016 10:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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Junior Myra Delgadillo notched her fourth goal and fourth assist of the season

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif.- The Fresno State women's soccer team extended its winning streak to four games on Friday night as the Bulldogs defeated St. Mary's 2-1 at the Fresno State Soccer and Lacrosse Field. The 'Dogs are off to their best offensive start since joining the Mountain West in 2012 and their best non-conference winning streak since 2010.

Fresno State's 35 points, 13 goals, nine assists, 90 shots and 40 shots on goal through the first seven games of the season are its most since 2011. The last time the Bulldogs scored nine goals in a four-game span was in 2012.

The Gaels (1-7-1) jumped on Fresno State (4-3) early, scoring in the fifth minute to take a 1-0 lead. However, just seven minutes later, junior Bulldog Myra Delgadillo received a well-placed pass from sophomore Alyssa Nishikawa to score her fourth goal of the season. The assist was Nishikawa's second.

"We rebounded a lot quicker than some other games," Fresno State head coach Brian Zwaschka said. "It is the first game we scored in the first half all season. So, to do it as an answer to their goal was very important. We just kept fighting and grinding it out. We kept feeling like it was going to come, and we are thankful that it did."

The rest of the half would remain fairly even, with both teams going into the half with five shots, three shots on goal, and knotted up 1-1. Fresno State sophomore goalkeeper Nicole Theroux, who has started the last five games for the Bulldogs, took an early exit late in the first half with an injury and was replaced by redshirt freshman Alex Best, who started the first two games of the season.

The 'Dogs came into the second half just a bit more aggressive than St. Mary's, outshooting the Gaels 7-4 and winning the corner kick battle 5-1, which would prove crucial to Fresno State's second goal.

Delgadillo set up for a corner kick in the 70th minute and found freshman Sydni Lunt in the box, who sent in her first game-winning goal of the season and second overall.

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 since at least 1998 to have four assists through the first seven games of the season. She currently leads the MW in points per game (1.71).

In the 83rd minute, St. Mary's was set up for a penalty kick from Hannah Diaz, but Best took a perfectly timed dive to her left to make the save and put the Bulldog victory within reach. Best earned her first collegiate win and now has four saves and a 2.59 goals-against average in three appearances.

Six different Bulldogs got shots off during the game and freshman Julia Glaser continues to lead the team with 23 on the year. The 'Dogs have shown their versatility and depth as four different players have scored game-winning goals this season and 16 have taken shots.

"I think everybody is really happy," Zwaschka said. "Some of the things that we have been training on have showed up in the matches, but we are also improvising because every opponent is a little different and no matter how much we have been scouting them, everybody throws something out there that we need to improvise with. When the team is taking care of those things, we are good."

Fresno State returns to the pitch on Sunday at noon to host Montana (4-2-2) at the Fresno State Soccer and Lacrosse Field. The Grizzlies tied San Jose State 0-0 on Friday night and look for their first win since defeating Boise State 1-0 on Sept. 9.

All Bulldog home matches include free admission and parking in the Red Lot. The game will also be streamed live on the Mountain West Network.

"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.