Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, January 20
Santa Barbara, Calif.
11:20 A.M. PT
Fresno State
vs
Indiana
Photo by: Keith Kountz
Fresno State water polo gets inaugural season started this weekend at UCSB Invitational
1/19/2018 10:06:00 AM | Water Polo
FRESNO, Calif. – After months and months of recruiting, training and practicing, the time has finally come for Fresno State water polo to begin its inaugural season this weekend at the UCSB Gaucho Invitational. The 'Dogs will be tested right away as they are slated to face off against Indiana, CSUN, Team China and host UC Santa Barbara.
"I think it goes without saying that this weekend of competition is very exciting for us," head coach Natalie Benson said. "There will be a lot of firsts this weekend, and I know the athletes are motivated to show that they are ready to compete." There will be plenty of growth throughout this first season, and it will be a great process in which we are proud to take part."
BULLDOG BREAKDOWN
-Fresno State opens the season as the 25th-ranked team in the nation by the Collegiate Water Polo Association, along with Cal Baptist and Cal State Monterey Bay.
-The 'Dogs came in at fourth out of eight teams in the Preseason Golden Coast Conference Coaches Poll, finishing behind first place Pacific, second place San Diego State and third place Loyola Marymount.
-The Bulldogs' 19-player roster is composed of 12 freshmen, one sophomore, three juniors and three seniors.
THE MATCHUPS
Saturday, Jan. 20: vs. INDIANA – 11:20 a.m. PT
The Hoosiers finished as the 18th-ranked team and had a 21-10 overall record a season ago. Offensively, they are led by senior Kelly Matthews, who poured in a team-high 61 goals in 2017. Mollie Williams (42 goals), Sarah Myers (38 goals), Joelle Nacouzi (37 goals) and Jennifer Beadle (35 goals) were Indiana's other primary offensive contributors and are all set to return this season. The Hoosiers will also have their starting goalie Jessica Gaudreault back in the cage.
Saturday, Jan. 20: vs. CSUN – 6 p.m. PT
The Matadors finished right behind Indiana in the 2017 rankings at No. 19 and logged a 12-20 overall record (1-4 Big West). Senior Madeleine Sanchez, who was voted to the 2017 All-Big West First Team, led the conference with 99 goals and was awarded ACWPC All-America honorable mention accolades, will spearhead CSUN's attack.
Sunday, Jan. 21: vs. TEAM CHINA – 10:20 a.m. PT
The Chinese National Team was one of the squads that participated in the Collegiate Cup back on Nov. 4-5. Team China had a strong showing, picking up wins over Pacific and San Jose State while staying competitive with UCLA and Cal in their two other games.
Sunday, Jan. 21: vs. UC SANTA BARBARA – 2:30 p.m. PT
The Gauchos are coming off a 15-14 season in which they finished as the 21st-ranked team in the nation. Kate Pipkin and Sarah Snyder, the second and third leading scorers on the team a season ago, respectively, will lead UCSB on offense. Kenzi Snyder, who started 24 out of 26 games in 2017, will be back in the cage for UC Santa Barbara.
LIVE STATS
You can follow the game action at http://www.thefosh.net/
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWP
Instagram: fresnostatewp
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat: FSAthletics
"I think it goes without saying that this weekend of competition is very exciting for us," head coach Natalie Benson said. "There will be a lot of firsts this weekend, and I know the athletes are motivated to show that they are ready to compete." There will be plenty of growth throughout this first season, and it will be a great process in which we are proud to take part."
BULLDOG BREAKDOWN
-Fresno State opens the season as the 25th-ranked team in the nation by the Collegiate Water Polo Association, along with Cal Baptist and Cal State Monterey Bay.
-The 'Dogs came in at fourth out of eight teams in the Preseason Golden Coast Conference Coaches Poll, finishing behind first place Pacific, second place San Diego State and third place Loyola Marymount.
-The Bulldogs' 19-player roster is composed of 12 freshmen, one sophomore, three juniors and three seniors.
THE MATCHUPS
Saturday, Jan. 20: vs. INDIANA – 11:20 a.m. PT
The Hoosiers finished as the 18th-ranked team and had a 21-10 overall record a season ago. Offensively, they are led by senior Kelly Matthews, who poured in a team-high 61 goals in 2017. Mollie Williams (42 goals), Sarah Myers (38 goals), Joelle Nacouzi (37 goals) and Jennifer Beadle (35 goals) were Indiana's other primary offensive contributors and are all set to return this season. The Hoosiers will also have their starting goalie Jessica Gaudreault back in the cage.
Saturday, Jan. 20: vs. CSUN – 6 p.m. PT
The Matadors finished right behind Indiana in the 2017 rankings at No. 19 and logged a 12-20 overall record (1-4 Big West). Senior Madeleine Sanchez, who was voted to the 2017 All-Big West First Team, led the conference with 99 goals and was awarded ACWPC All-America honorable mention accolades, will spearhead CSUN's attack.
Sunday, Jan. 21: vs. TEAM CHINA – 10:20 a.m. PT
The Chinese National Team was one of the squads that participated in the Collegiate Cup back on Nov. 4-5. Team China had a strong showing, picking up wins over Pacific and San Jose State while staying competitive with UCLA and Cal in their two other games.
Sunday, Jan. 21: vs. UC SANTA BARBARA – 2:30 p.m. PT
The Gauchos are coming off a 15-14 season in which they finished as the 21st-ranked team in the nation. Kate Pipkin and Sarah Snyder, the second and third leading scorers on the team a season ago, respectively, will lead UCSB on offense. Kenzi Snyder, who started 24 out of 26 games in 2017, will be back in the cage for UC Santa Barbara.
LIVE STATS
You can follow the game action at http://www.thefosh.net/
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWP
Instagram: fresnostatewp
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat: FSAthletics
Water Polo 2025 Bass Lake team retreat vlog
Tuesday, October 28
WP: GCC Championship Quarterfinal vs CUI [4.25.25]
Saturday, April 26
WP highlight vs CUI [2.22.25]
Saturday, February 22
WP highlight vs Redlands [2.15.25]
Tuesday, February 18