Fresno State downs Santa Clara, earns first conference win in program history

FRESNO, Calif. – It was a back and forth affair through the first two periods as Fresno State water polo was tied 2-2 at the half with Santa Clara. The Bulldogs' offense came alive in the third, as they poured in four goals to take a 6-3 advantage into the final quarter. The Broncos outscored the 'Dogs 3-1 in the final quarter but it was not enough as Fresno State went on to win its first Golden Coast Conference game in program history, 7-6.

"We started slow, which seems to be a recurring theme, but we had the shots and legit opportunities," head coach Natalie Benson said. "Being able to finish our shots was the biggest issue we had. I thought our 6-on-5 and 5-on-6 ratios were good but we have to be able to put the ball away. Even though it's a game, there's nothing different from training. I'm proud of how resilient we were and how we pulled it out even after that barrage at the end. We were able to buckle down and get the win, the first conference win in program history."

HOW IT HAPPENED
Santa Clara struck first in the opening period on a goal by Hannah Buck with 3:22 remaining. Both offenses stalled during the final 3-plus minutes as the Broncos held a 1-0 lead heading into the second.

Fresno State opened the scoring in the second quarter as Elsie Judy poured one into the back of the net off a nice assist from Trystyn Vuori to even the game at 1-1. The Broncos countered at the 5:02 mark to re-take the lead at 2-1. But the Bulldogs had an answer as Jillian Gross blasted one into the cage from the perimeter about two minutes later to tie it up. The game was tied 2-2 going into the locker room.

Fresno State's offense exploded in the third period. Callie Woodruff recorded the first Bulldog score of the third at the 6:49 mark. Emily Nicholson followed with two goals to put the 'Dogs up 5-2 with 4:50 left in the period. Annie Eldredge of Santa Clara countered with a goal to make it 5-3 with 3:30 remaining before Nicholson scored once again to complete the hat trick, as Fresno State led 6-3 heading into the fourth.

The Broncos scored 45 seconds into the final period to make it a 6-4 game. Sydney Coachman then scored the lone Fresno State goal with 6:08 left to give the Bulldogs a 7-4 advantage. Santa Clara then scored twice to inch closer, as the Broncos trailed by just one with 4:07 left. While the 'Dogs failed to score following Coachman's goal, their defense tightened up down the stretch to preserve their lead, as they went on to win by a score of 7-6. The victory marked the first conference win in program history.

Emily Nicholson led the offense as she notched her second straight hat trick.

Madelynn Garcia was solid in the cage. The sophomore tallied 10 saves and three steals.

UP NEXT
Fresno State will play host to No. 11 UC San Diego on Saturday, March 31. The non-conference matchup is slated to begin at 12 p.m. PT at the Fresno State Aquatics Center.

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Fresno State downs Santa Clara, earns first conference win in program history

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Players Mentioned

Sydney Coachman

Madelynn Garcia

Jillian Gross

Elsie Judy

Emily Nicholson

Trystyn Vuori

Callie Woodruff

Fresno State Athletics