'Dogs to host Spartans on Senior Night

Friday, October 26

Fresno, Calif.

7 P.M. PT

Fresno State

San Jose State

'Dogs to host Spartans on Senior Night

10/24/2018 4:44:00 PM | Women's Soccer

By: Taylor Martinez / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State women's soccer team will host in-state rival San Jose State for the regular season finale on Friday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. PT in the Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium. Friday's match will honor seniors Marie Berwinkel-Kottmann, Maria Gomez, Olivia Muhrbeck, Alyssa Nishikawa and Nicole Theroux.

Senior Night activities are set to begin at 6:40 p.m. PT. Admission and parking to all Fresno State women's soccer games are free of charge.

How to follow – Fans will be able to watch the game on the Mountain West Network or follow live stats, links are available on the women's soccer schedule page at Gobulldogs.com. (Schedule Page)

What's at stake – Fresno State is fighting for a spot in the 2018 MW Championship. The Bulldogs need to finish within the stop six of the conference to earn a bid to the postseason, they are currently in fifth place in the MW standings. A win or tie against San Jose State on Friday will guarantee Fresno State a spot in the championship. Fresno State can still get into the championship even with a loss to San Jose State. If the Bulldogs lose, a Colorado College loss to Air Force or a UNLV loss to Nevada will still give them a spot in the championship.

San Jose State has already secured its spot in the conference championship, but the Spartans are playing for the opportunity to get a piece of the 2018 MW Regular Season Championship. If San Jose State wins on Friday and Boise State, the Spartans will be co-champions.

QUICK LOOK AT THE 'DOGS
Fresno State is 6-9-3 (5-3-2 MW) this season, 2-4-2 at home.

Game Notes:

Fresno State is currently in fifth place in the MW standings.
Last week, the 'Dogs posted a 2-0-0 week on the road, with a 2-1 win over Boise State and a 1-0 win over Utah State.
This is Fresno State's best conference record since 2013 (7-2-1).
Fresno State is on a three-game winning streak.
The 'Dogs haven't lost a match since Oct. 5, when they fell to UNLV 2-1.
Fresno State switched into gear for conference play. The 'Dogs entered conference play with a 1-6-1 record, but have since logged a 5-3-2 record in MW games. 11 of Fresno State's 17 goals this season were scored during conference play. Fresno State has outscored MW opponents 11-9.
In conference play, the 'Dogs rank within the top half of the conference in points, goals, goals per game, assists, assists per game, goals allowed, goals against average, saves, shutouts and corner kicks.
Fresno State has recorded three shutouts during conference play.
Forward Emma Chivers ranks No. 3 in the MW in points, points per game, goals, goals per game and game-winning goals.
Goalkeeper Nicole Theroux ranks No. 2 in save percentage, No. 4 in goals against average, No. 5 in saves, No. 5 in saves per game and No. 6 in shutouts.
Fresno State leads the all-time series record against San Jose State 16-9-2. Last time the two teams met, San Jose State defeated Fresno State 1-0 on Oct. 27, 2017. The Spartans have won three of the last four games between the squads.

Overview – Fresno State has owned the advantage over its opponents in saves (80-62) and corners (93-65). The 'Dogs' opponents have logged the advantage in goals (23-17) and shots (238-185). Fresno State's offense is averaging .94 goals per game.

On offense, Emma Chivers leads the 'Dogs with five goals. Tori Nicolo has also been a big contributor on offense, chalking four goals. On defense, Robyn McCarthy has logged the most time on the field with a team-high 1,566 minutes. Goalkeeper Nicole Theroux has recorded 60 saves, a .789 save percentage and a 1.11 goals against average.

The Bulldogs were picked to finish sixth in the 2018 Mountain West preseason coaches' poll. Fresno State returned 11 letterwinners and four starters, including 2015 All-MW Second Team honoree Maria Gomez. Nicole Theroux will also return to the goal for Fresno State. Last season, Theroux started all 20 games as the Bulldogs' goalkeeper, grabbed 70 saves and recorded a 0.83 goals against average. The Bulldogs restocked their roster for the upcoming season with eight newcomers, six freshman and two transfers.

Last season – Fresno State finished with a 10-6-4 (5-4-2 MW) record. The Bulldogs had seven home wins in front of the Red Wave last season, the most since 2007 (7) and six losses for the Bulldogs were the fewest since 2011. Fresno State finished within the top half of the conference which ensured their spot in the 2017 Mountain West Championship Tournament, marking the first championship appearance since 2013, and increased its win total for the fourth consecutive season. Fresno State fell in an exhilarating quarterfinal match of the 2017 Mountain West Women's Soccer Tournament to New Mexico in sudden death penalty kicks. On the season, the Bulldogs outscored their opponents 32-19 and outshot their opponents 230-199.

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
San Jose State is 7-6-4 (6-2-2 MW) this season, 2-2-3 on the road.

Team Notes:

San Jose State is currently in a three-way tie for second place in the MW standings.
Last week, the Spartans posted a 0-0-2 week, with a 0-0 double overtime draw against Utah State and a 0-0 double overtime draw against Boise State.
San Jose State hasn't won a match since Oct. 5, when the Spartans logged a 1-0 win over Colorado State.
The Spartans didn't score a goal in their last two matches.
San Jose State and its opponents have both scored 12 goals this season. San Jose State has owned the advantage in shots (215-172) and corners (91-56). The Spartans' opponents have recorded more saves (60-58).
San Jose State's offense is averaging 0.71 goals per game.
In conference play, San Jose State ranks No. 1 in goals allowed, goals against average and shutouts.
The Spartans' defense has recorded seven shutouts during conference play.
The Spartans' offense is led by forwards Jamilecxth Becerra and Darriel Franklin. Bercerra has a team-high four goals this season, along with two assists and 41 shots. Franklin has scored all three of her goals during conference play, and all three have been game-winners.
Goalkeeper Paige Simoneau has played all 16 games in the goal for San Jose State. Simoneau has recorded 48 saves, a .814 save percentage and a 0.64 goals against average.
San Jose State will host the 2018 MW Championship, Oct. 30 – Nov. 2.
San Jose State won the 2017 MW Regular Season Championship.

"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.