Fresno State Athletics
'Dogs look to make a postseason run in 2017
1/26/2017 10:24:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
FRESNO, Calif. – The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation announced the results of the 2017 MPSF Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Poll, Fresno State was picked to finish eighth in the conference. The Bulldogs received 20 points in the poll finishing ahead of St. Mary's who received eight points.
Fresno State finished the 2016 season tied for eighth place with Cal, both finishing with 2-7 records in conference play, ahead of last place St. Mary's.
The University of Southern California collected the maximum possible total of 64 points and eight first place votes to be selected as the first place team in the preseason poll. The Trojans became the first-ever MPSF Lacrosse team to reach the NCAA Quarterfinals last year, setting conference records for wins (20) and winning streak (20 consecutive).
Stanford placed second in the poll receiving 56 points and grabbed the final first place vote. Colorado took third place with 56 points. Followed by Oregon in fourth place with 38 points. UC Davis was picked fifth in the pole logging 36 votes in the poll. San Diego State (28) is projected to finish sixth in the conference and round out the conference tournament after just missing postseason last year.
Cal finished just ahead of Fresno State in seventh place with 23 points. St. Mary's was picked to finish ninth in the conference behind the Bulldogs.
"We are confident with our abilities and our objective is to make playoffs," said head coach Jessica Giglio. "Preseason rankings don't dictate how your season goes. Having the ability to go play hard and get better every day determines that."
If the Bulldogs advance to the 2017 MPSF Tournament it would be the first time since the conference changed postseason rules only allowing the top six teams in the conference to advance to the tournament.
Fresno State returns 14 letterwinners, including last season's leading scorer junior Nicole Ortlieb. Ortlieb set a new school record scoring 34 goals in a single season. The Bulldogs also return two-time All-MPSF honoree and all-time draw control leader (112) senior Caroline Dineen-Carlson.
"Caroline is a second year captain for us and a four year starter," Giglio said. "We look forward to her continuing to lead on the field by example and vocally in the locker room. Nicole is a goal scorer. She can catch a ball under extreme pressure and finish. We look forward to her to be a threat and someone the other team makes note of on their scouting reports."Â
The program graduated two key players from the 2016 season in Sophia Aragon and Anjelica Fuccillo. Aragon finished her career as Fresno State's all-time leader in games started (58), ground balls (97), ground balls per game (1.64) and caused turnovers (56), and third in caused turnovers per game (0.95). Fuccillo finished her career as Fresno State's all-time leader in games played (60), points (101), assists (31) and free-position goals (20).
The Bulldogs added 10 freshman to the roster for the 2017 season.
"Our freshmen are ready to be impact players," Giglio said. "They have grown so much from the fall and continue to make us take notice of them. It's going to be a very competitive year for playing time."Â
The Bulldogs finished the 2016 season with an overall record of 5-10, increasing their win total from the 2015 season (4-11), as they have for the last three consecutive seasons. Giglio and her squad strive to continue that trend for the 2017 season.
Fresno State opens up their 2017 campaign at home at the Fresno State Soccer and Lacrosse field on Friday Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. PT against LIU Brooklyn. Admission is always free of charge to Fresno State women's lacrosse games.
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Fresno State finished the 2016 season tied for eighth place with Cal, both finishing with 2-7 records in conference play, ahead of last place St. Mary's.
The University of Southern California collected the maximum possible total of 64 points and eight first place votes to be selected as the first place team in the preseason poll. The Trojans became the first-ever MPSF Lacrosse team to reach the NCAA Quarterfinals last year, setting conference records for wins (20) and winning streak (20 consecutive).
Stanford placed second in the poll receiving 56 points and grabbed the final first place vote. Colorado took third place with 56 points. Followed by Oregon in fourth place with 38 points. UC Davis was picked fifth in the pole logging 36 votes in the poll. San Diego State (28) is projected to finish sixth in the conference and round out the conference tournament after just missing postseason last year.
Cal finished just ahead of Fresno State in seventh place with 23 points. St. Mary's was picked to finish ninth in the conference behind the Bulldogs.
"We are confident with our abilities and our objective is to make playoffs," said head coach Jessica Giglio. "Preseason rankings don't dictate how your season goes. Having the ability to go play hard and get better every day determines that."
If the Bulldogs advance to the 2017 MPSF Tournament it would be the first time since the conference changed postseason rules only allowing the top six teams in the conference to advance to the tournament.
Fresno State returns 14 letterwinners, including last season's leading scorer junior Nicole Ortlieb. Ortlieb set a new school record scoring 34 goals in a single season. The Bulldogs also return two-time All-MPSF honoree and all-time draw control leader (112) senior Caroline Dineen-Carlson.
"Caroline is a second year captain for us and a four year starter," Giglio said. "We look forward to her continuing to lead on the field by example and vocally in the locker room. Nicole is a goal scorer. She can catch a ball under extreme pressure and finish. We look forward to her to be a threat and someone the other team makes note of on their scouting reports."Â
The program graduated two key players from the 2016 season in Sophia Aragon and Anjelica Fuccillo. Aragon finished her career as Fresno State's all-time leader in games started (58), ground balls (97), ground balls per game (1.64) and caused turnovers (56), and third in caused turnovers per game (0.95). Fuccillo finished her career as Fresno State's all-time leader in games played (60), points (101), assists (31) and free-position goals (20).
The Bulldogs added 10 freshman to the roster for the 2017 season.
"Our freshmen are ready to be impact players," Giglio said. "They have grown so much from the fall and continue to make us take notice of them. It's going to be a very competitive year for playing time."Â
The Bulldogs finished the 2016 season with an overall record of 5-10, increasing their win total from the 2015 season (4-11), as they have for the last three consecutive seasons. Giglio and her squad strive to continue that trend for the 2017 season.
Fresno State opens up their 2017 campaign at home at the Fresno State Soccer and Lacrosse field on Friday Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. PT against LIU Brooklyn. Admission is always free of charge to Fresno State women's lacrosse games.
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