Fresno State comes up short against Azusa Pacific in first round of GCC Championships, 9-7

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Fresno State held a one-goal lead twice in the first five minutes of the fourth period before Azusa Pacific's offensive barrage began. The Cougars put away four goals in the final three minutes of the game to secure a 9-7 win in the first round of the Golden Coast Conference Championships on Friday afternoon at Burns Aquatic Center. The Bulldogs' opening-round loss puts them in a position to play Concordia on Saturday, April 28 at 11 a.m. PT.

Callie Woodruff and Isabella Magno both scored two goals apiece to lead the Fresno State attack. Emily Nicholson, Claire Schade and Trystyn Vuori also tallied goals.

Goalie Madelynn Garcia registered seven saves and a steal.

"We started off really strong with good energy and decisiveness," head coach Natalie Benson said. "As the game went on, APU's defensive scheme changed and we kind of kept forcing some things that were available to us in the first half that weren't available to us in the second half. I think we were a little nervous and passive with our shooting and lacked some decisive actions. Ultimately what ended up beating us was a really simple near-side shot block which is something we do every day in practice and it just ended up failing us today. It's definitely a good learning experience for our young group as we move forward. Paying attention to those little details is very important."

HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State got off to a quick start in the opening period as Emily Nicholson scored from the onside off a nice setup from Natalie Espinoza at the 5:13 mark. Azusa Pacific then evened up the game at 1-1 with 2:17 remaining in the first. Just 11 seconds later, Callie Woodruff scored to give the 'Dogs the lead back at 2-1 heading into the second period.

Both goals scored in the second were of the power-play variety. APU struck first as Arianne Yeo tied the game up at the 5:51 mark. Isabella Magno would provide the answer for the 'Dogs later in the frame to give Fresno State a 3-2 advantage at the break.

The Cougars outscored the Bulldogs 2-1 in the third period. Trystyn Vuori scored the lone goal for the 'Dogs about halfway through the quarter. The two teams were knotted at four going into the fourth.

Offense was the story in the final period as a combined eight goals were scored between the squads. Fresno State took a one-goal lead on two separate occasions in the first five minutes of the fourth before APU rattled off three consecutive scores to take an 8-6 lead. Callie Woodruff scored her second goal of the game with 1:02 left to make it an 8-7 contest but the Cougars countered with a goal that ended the Bulldogs' comeback bid.

UP NEXT
Fresno State water polo will be back at Burns Aquatics Center tomorrow to take on Concordia. The opening sprint is slated for 11 a.m. PT. The Bulldogs beat the Eagles 14-7 back on April 6.

Links for both live stats and the live stream can be found on the Tournament Central Page.

"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.

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Fresno State comes up short against Azusa Pacific in first round of GCC Championships, 9-7

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Players Mentioned

Natalie Espinoza

Madelynn Garcia

Isabella Magno

Emily Nicholson

Claire Schade

Trystyn Vuori

Callie Woodruff

Fresno State Athletics