Bulldogs ride five-game winning streak into MW play

Friday, September 23

Reno, Nev.

6:30 p.m. PT

Fresno State

Nevada

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Bulldogs ride five-game winning streak into MW play

9/21/2016 2:15:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Combined Season Stats (PDF)MW Standings and Schedule (PDF)MW Stats (PDF)

The Fresno State women’s soccer team travels to Nevada on Friday at 6:30 p.m. PT and UNLV on Sunday at noon; Both matches will air live on the Mountain West Network

By: Jason Kelm / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif.- The Fresno State women's soccer team rides its hottest winning streak since 2008 into the state of Nevada this weekend as the Bulldogs start Mountain West play in pursuit of their first MW regular-season title.

The Bulldogs (5-3) face Nevada (3-4) on Friday at 6:30 p.m. PT and UNLV (7-2) on Sunday at noon PT. Both matches will air live on the Mountain West Network.

at Nevada (3-4) (Fri., Sept. 23, 2016, 6:30 p.m. PT) – 2015: 6-11-2, 3-7-1 MW
Live video: Click here
Live stats: Click here
All-time: Fresno State leads 15-2-3
In Reno: Fresno State leads 8-1-2
Under Zwaschka: Fresno State leads 5-0-2
Last meeting: Fresno State 1, Nevada 0 (10/24/2015 – Fresno, Calif.)
Last meeting in Reno: Fresno State 3, Nevada 2 (2 OT) (10/5/2014)
Last Nevada win: Nevada 4, Fresno State 2 (10/9/2005 – Reno, Nev.)

at UNLV (7-2) (Sun., Sept. 25, 2016, 12 p.m. PT) – 2015: 11-10-0, 6-5-0 MW
Live video: Click here
Live stats: Click here
All-time: UNLV leads 4-3-2
In Las Vegas: Fresno State leads 2-1-1
Under Zwaschka: UNLV leads 3-2-0
Last meeting: UNLV 2, Fresno State 1 (10/25/2015 – Fresno, Calif.)
Last meeting in Las Vegas: Fresno State 1, UNLV 0 (10/3/2014)

Bulldogs take MW-best five-game winning streak into Reno
Fresno State's five-game winning streak is its best since 2008 and is the best non-conference winning streak since 1999.

The Bulldogs' .625 winning percentage is their highest going into conference play since joining the MW in 2012 and their 14 goals and 11 assists through the first eight games are the most since 2011 (15 and 17, respectively).

In pursuit of their first MW title
The 'Dogs' best MW finish was second place in 2013 and they have yet to win a MW tournament. The last regular-season conference title for the Bulldogs was in 2006 when they were a part of the Western Athletic Conference and their most recent conference tournament championship was in 2010 as a No. 6 seed.

Two 'Dogs take MW weekly accolades into Nevada
Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Alex Best was named MW Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after coming off the bench and allowing zero goals over the weekend, recording her first collegiate win last Friday and first shutout on Sunday.

Freshman forward Julia Glaser was named MW Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 5 after scoring two goals on seven shots in road wins over Portland State and UC Davis.

Delgadillo as involved as can be
Junior forward Myra Delgadillo leads the Bulldogs with 13 points (4 goals, 5 assists) this season. A 2015 second-team All-MW selection, she has picked up where she left off and has recorded the most assists through the first eight games for a Bulldog this century.

Her 0.62 assists per game ranks 17th in the nation and her 13 points through the first eight games are the most for a 'Dog since Cortney Sobrero (16) in 2004.

Delgadillo, Glaser among the top in the MW
Delgadillo currently leads all MW members with 1.62 points per game, is tied for the lead with 0.62 assists per game and is ranked second in total goals (4). Delgadillo and Glaser both come in third with 24 total shots and 3.00 shots per game.

Shots coming from all over the pitch
Fresno State's depth and versatility have made it difficult for teams to predict where the next shot or game-winning goal will come from. 16 different Bulldogs have multiple shots this season and each of the five game-winning goals have come from a different player.

A true team effort protecting the net
Sophomore Bulldog goalkeeper Nicole Theroux has recorded the most minutes (503) protecting the net this season in seven games, including five starts. Theroux has earned a 1.79 goals-against average this season and has 27 saves to her name.

Following an ankle injury to Theroux in last Friday's match against St. Mary's, Best stepped in to keep the Fresno State winning streak alive and allow zero goals over the weekend. Best has started three games this season and appeared in four, contributing to a 1.57 goals-against average and 10 saves.

Sophomore Marie Berwinkel-Kottmann, who began the season with the most collegiate game experience, will back up Best this weekend. Last year, Berwinkel-Kottmann played in 13 games, starting 10, and finished with a 1.80 goals-against average, 51 saves and a 4-6 record.

Nunes, Gomez leading from the sideline
Fresno State enters conference play without two major contributors – senior Amanda Nunes and junior Maria Gomez. Nunes sustained a season-ending knee injury in last Sunday's contest against Montana and Gomez has been ruled out for the year with an injured knee since the season-opener against UC Santa Barbara.

Nunes, who battled back into the starting lineup this year after injuries at the end of last season and this spring, scored her first collegiate goal in Fresno State's 2-0 victory over Pacific on Sept. 9. Nunes finishes her career with one goal, three assists and 35 shots while playing as a defender and midfielder.

Gomez, who was named to the 2015 All-MW second team, led the Bulldogs in shots (44) and notched two goals and an assist last season.

About the Wolf Pack (3-4)
Each of Nevada's wins have come via shutout this season as it defeated UC Irvine (1-0 OT), Sacramento State (2-0) and New Mexico State (2-0). The Wolf Pack have scored six goals this year on 72 shots, giving them a .083 shot percentage.

Offensively, Nevada is led by sophomores Rylee Peterson and Angel Meriwether, who each have two goals. Defensively, senior Kelsey Quintos has protected the net, earning a 0.85 goals-against average in 638 minutes and recording 36 saves.

About the Rebels (7-2)
UNLV enters MW play with the best record in the conference. The team has scored 22 goals so far this season, averaging 2.44 goals per game. Its 155 shots, 22 goals and 23 assists are the most among MW members.

Seven different players have scored multiple goals this season for the Rebels, led by senior Lily Sender, redshirt senior Susie Bernal and redshirt freshman Michaela Morris, each with four. Defensively, juniors Jordan Sallee and Jessie Clark have put in time at the goalkeeper position, combining for 29 saves and a 1.21 goals-against average this year.

"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.