'Dogs blank Falcons for third straight win

Friday, October 20

Fresno, Calif.

7 p.m. pt

Fresno State

9-5-3

Air Force

7-6-3

Air Force

Fresno State

'Dogs blank Falcons for third straight win

10/20/2017 11:33:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Taylor Martinez / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State women's soccer team won its third consecutive game Sunday night. Ele Avery scored her first collegiate goal to lead the 'Dogs to a 1-0 victory over Air Force. It was a crucial win for the Bulldogs to stay in contention to finish in the top six spots of the Mountain West, which would secure their spot in the 2017 MW Tournament.

"We knew this was going to be a tight game against a very good Air Force team," said head coach Brian Zwaschka. "Most of their matches this year have been really close. They've managed to win the conference games that they've scored in, so we knew it was important to keep them off the board because they are so good defensively. We had to have a lot of discipline around the box because we knew they weren't going to give us a lot of opportunities and their goalkeeper has done really well this season. We knew we had to take make a play that was going to make it difficult for her to reposition, and we capitalized on the chance to make that type of play when we got it."

Fresno State improves to 9-5-3 (4-3-2 MW). The 'Dogs are currently in sixth place in the MW standings.

Marina Kerrache, Julia Glaser, Myra Delgadillo, Melissa Ellis, Alissa Pham, Peyton Cline, Anna Crawford, Sara Jo Ciapponi, Carly Bracken and Angie Weiner led the charge for the 'Dogs, with Nicole Theroux in the goal.

FIRST HALF – Fresno State took control in the first half, limiting Air Force to two shots on goal.

The 'Dogs opened up the half with a shot on goal from Bracken in the third minute. Bracken took another shot on goal in the seventh minute. Fresno State tried to take the lead in the 19^th minute, when Glaser took a header. The Falcons' goalkeeper stayed perfect, recording three straight saves.

Air Force took its first shot on goal in the 20^th minute, Theroux was in position to make her first save of the contest.

Fresno State would take three more shots on goal in the half, but Air Force's goalie was there to make the play on each of them to keep the 'Dogs scoreless.

On the half, Fresno State outshot Air Force 10-5 and took more corner kicks than Air Force 2-1. Air Force recorded more saves in the half (6-2).

SECOND HALF – Both squads upped the tempo in the second half. The 'Dogs took an early corner kick in the 46^th minute, resulting in Bracken's third shot on goal of the match. The Falcons' goalkeeper seemed like she couldn't passed, logging her seventh save.

The Falcons tried to take the lead in the 48^th minute, but Theroux made a clutch save to keep the game tied. Air Force took two more close shots in the 63^nd minute and 72^nd minute, but Theroux was there to scoop both up.

Avery scored her first collegiate goal in the 82^nd minute off a cross from Wiley, helped by Delgadillo. Fresno State went up 1-0 with eight minutes left in the game.

Fresno State played strong defensively during the last eight minutes. Air Force was limited to one shot that missed wide.

Overall, Fresno State owned the advantage in shots (15-10) and corner kicks (5-3). Air Force recorded more saves on the night (8-5).

WHAT'S NEXT – Fresno State stays home to host Colorado College on Sunday at 12 p.m. PT in the Fresno State Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium. Sunday's game will celebrate the team's nine seniors. Senior Day activities will begin at 11:40 a.m. PT.

Admission and parking to all Fresno State women's soccer games are free of charge.

"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.

Print Friendly Version