Fresno State tops Pomona-Pitzer to highlight opening day of ASU Invitational

Saturday, March 10

Tempe, Ariz.

8 A.M. PT

Fresno State

Pomona-Pitzer

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Fresno State tops Pomona-Pitzer to highlight opening day of ASU Invitational

3/10/2018 7:44:00 PM | Water Polo

FS vs PP ASU vs. FSU WP

By: Justin Clark / Communications Intern

TEMPE, Ariz. – Fresno State water polo was back in the pool on Saturday to take on Pomona-Pitzer and No. 6 Arizona State on the first day of the ASU Invitational. The Bulldogs were down by two goals with 5:31 remaining against Pomona-Pitzer, but they would score three consecutive goals down the stretch to take down the Sagehens. In their second matchup, the Sun Devils were too much to handle as ASU scored 14 goals in a win over the 'Dogs.

"I'm happy to see how the team responded to the missed opportunities we had in our first game back with the pressure on in the fourth quarter," head coach Natalie Benson said. "The second match was a tough assignment, but provided a tremendous opportunity to see some defensive deficiencies and provided the experience to understand some of the smaller subtleties of team defense."

GAME 1
Fresno State got off to a great start in the opening period against Pomona-Pitzer. Callie Woodruff struck first for the Bulldogs as she scored an even-strength goal about three minutes into the game off a nice assist from Sydney Coachman. Coachman then scored a goal of her own with just over two minutes remaining in the first to give the 'Dogs an early 2-0 lead. Pomona-Pitzer answered back with a score 30 seconds later as Fresno State led 2-1 after one.

It was the Sagehens who got going to start the second period. Pomona-Pitzer got goals from Morgan McCracken and Kahea Kahaulelio as the Sagehens took a 3-2 lead with 3:23 left in the first half. But the Bulldogs would counter with two goals of their own, one apiece from Gabrielle Wiltse and Emily Nicholson as they took a 4-3 advantage into the break.

The third period belonged to Pomona-Pitzer. The Sagehens held the 'Dogs scoreless in the frame and scored twice to take a 5-4 lead into the fourth.

Pomona-Pitzer scored the first goal of the fourth period to increase its lead to 6-4 with 5:31 remaining in the game. It looked as if the Sagehens were ready to pull away, but Fresno State had an answer. Down two goals, the Bulldogs rattled off three consecutive scores thanks to Trystyn Vuori, Maddie Loggins and Callie Woodruff, as they re-took the lead at 7-6 with 2:40 left. That score would hold as the Bulldogs' defense tightened up down the stretch.

The win marked the third victory on the season for the 'Dogs, their first since coming out on top over Fresno Pacific back on Feb. 9.

Callie Woodruff put together a strong all-around game, tallying two goals, two assists and five steals. Madelynn Garcia got the start in the cage and logged seven saves to go along with a steal.

GAME 2
The Bulldogs faced off against No. 6 Arizona State in their second game of the day. While Fresno State put up more shots than the Sun Devils, ASU controlled the game from start to finish.

Arizona State outscored the 'Dogs 2-0 in the first period. The Bulldogs would get a goal from Natalie Espinoza in the second, but the Sun Devils scored four times in the frame to take a 6-1 lead at the half.

Fresno State scored twice in the second half as Callie Woodruff and Sydney Coachman both recorded goals, but ASU would score eight times in the final 16 minutes to go on to win by a score of 14-3 over the 'Dogs.

All three Bulldog goalies got time in the cage. Madelynn Garcia and Hannah Duggins led the way with three saves apiece.

UP NEXT
Fresno State will face off against No. 13 Indiana on Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. PT. This will be the second matchup of the season between the teams, as the Hoosiers took round one 12-6 in the Bulldogs' first game of their inaugural season back on Jan. 20.

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