Fresno State topples Concordia 11-4, advances to fifth-place game

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Fresno State held a 5-2 lead at the half, as Concordia was still within striking distance after two periods. But the Bulldogs stepped on the gas and blew the game open in the third frame, putting away four goals and limiting the Eagles to one to take a commanding 9-3 advantage into the fourth. The 'Dogs went on to win by a score of 11-4, their second victory of the season over CUI by seven goals, with this one earning them a spot in tomorrow's fifth-place game versus Cal Baptist.

Emily Nicholson had one of her best games of 2018. The standout freshman scored five goals on 5-of-7 shooting and also swiped a pair of steals.

Natalie Espinoza and Maddie Loggins both tallied three assists and a goal, while Claire Schade logged a goal and a team-high four steals.

"We stuck to our game plan, pushed the counter attack, were a little more decisive on some passes and had a little bit more awareness in terms of when to get it into the center," head coach Natalie Benson said. "I don't think we were really ready to play in that first quarter, mentally. Concordia was super aggressive and physical and they really brought it out today. They were playing some championship water polo but we stuck to our game plan, worked the counter attack and got back to our press principles. Pushing our finish ended up helping us out today."

HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening period didn't yield much offense as Fresno State scored the lone goal, a Natalie Espinoza score that gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead heading into the second.

The 'Dogs struck for two goals to begin the second period. Callie Woodruff and Jillian Gross both got into the scoring column and gave their squad a 3-0 advantage with 4:20 left in the half. Concordia then got on the board to make it a 3-1 game before Maddie Loggins countered to give the Bulldogs a three-goal lead once again at 4-1. The Eagles would score with just 13 seconds left to get within two, but Isabello Magno answered with two ticks left on the clock, handing the 'Dogs a 5-2 advantage at the break.

Fresno State broke it open in the third period. The Bulldogs outscored CUI 4-1 in the frame and were paced by Emily Nicholson's hat trick, along with an even-strength goal from Claire Schade. Nicholson and the 'Dogs took a 9-3 lead into the fourth.

Nicholson put away two more goals in the fourth period to give her five for the game, as Fresno State went on to win by a final of 11-4 over Concordia.

Five goals is a single-game high for Emily Nicholson this season. She has been impactful on both ends of the pool this season as she continues to receive praise from her head coach.

"She's been a tremendous asset to our team this year," said Benson. "Her ability to finish on the inside has been great and I'm excited we were able to get her that ball. She's always ready for that ball quick but now we're able to see her and hit her with that pass early enough to where she can actually finish."

UP NEXT
Fresno State will officially conclude its inaugural season tomorrow against Cal Baptist in the fifth-place game of the 2018 Golden Coast Conference Championships. The opening sprint is scheduled for 11 a.m. PT.

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Fresno State topples Concordia 11-4, advances to fifth-place game

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Players Mentioned

Natalie Espinoza

Jillian Gross

Maddie Loggins

Emily Nicholson

Claire Schade

Callie Woodruff

Fresno State Athletics