Bulldogs open 2019 campaign at UCSB Invitational

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Fresno State women's water polo team will kick off the 2019 season at the UCSB Invitational Jan. 19-20. Fresno State will start the weekend against UCSB on Saturday 11 a.m. PT., followed by a match against USC at 2:45 p.m. PT. On Sunday, the Bulldogs will face Indiana at 8:30 a.m. PT, before finishing the weekend against Michigan at 2 p.m. PT.

The Invitational will see 12 teams compete in 25 games throughout the weekend.

How to follow – Fans will be able to follow along with live stats and a video stream for the game against UCSB. Both links are on the water polo schedule page at GoBulldogs.com. Live scores and updates will be available for all games on Twitter (@FresnoStateWP).

You can visit Tournament Central Page for the complete schedule and ticket information.

QUICK LOOK AT THE DOGS
The Bulldogs return 10 letterwinners, including their top two scorers and All-GCC selections in Emily Nicholson and Callie Woodruff. Madelynn Garcia will also return to the goal for the Fresno State, after emerging as the primary goalie last season. Garcia finished the 2018 season with 132 saves and a team-high 25 steals. The Bulldogs bolster their roster with eight freshman for the upcoming season. The Bulldogs were picked to finish fourth in the Golden Coast Conference regular season in the 2019 Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Last season, Fresno State wrapped up the program's inaugural season with a 7-18 (3-4 GCC) record and finished sixth in the Golden Coast Conference Championships. The first-year program had two All-GCC selections, including the Co-Newcomer of the Year Nicholson, who also received AWPC All-America honors.

SCOUTING THE GAUCHOS
UCSB finished the 2018 season with an overall 16-13 (2-3 Big West) record. UCSB returns its top two scorers in Sarah Snyder and Kate Pipkin. Pipkin scored 44 goals in 2018, she was named an ACWPC All-America honoree and a member of the 2018 All-Big West Second-Team. Snyder scored 49 goals in 2019, she was named a 2018 All-Big West Honorable Mention.

The last time the two squads met, UCSB defeated Fresno State 12-7 on Jan. 21, 2018.

SCOUTING THE TROJANS
USC finished the 2018 season with an overall 26-1 (5-0 MPSF) record. USC took home the 2018 National Championship, its sixth national championship title in program history. The Trojans were also undefeated in conference play, becoming the 2018 MPSF Champions, for the fifth time in program history. USC returners its starting goalkeeper, Amanda Longan, who recorded 214 saves. Longan was named the 2018 MPSF Player of the Year and won the 2018 Peter J. Cutino Award. The Trojans also return their top scorers in Paige Hauschild and Denise Mommolito. Hauschild scored 68 goals last season, and was named the 2018 MPSF Newcomer of the Year. Mommolito was second on the team with 43 goals.

Saturday's game will mark the first meeting between the two programs.

SCOUTING THE HOOSIERS
Indiana finished the 2018 season with an overall 25-9 (5-3 CWPA) record. Indiana will be sporting a new lineup after graduating its starting goalkeeper and top three scorers.

The Hoosiers own the all-time record between the two teams 2-0. Last time the two squads met, Indiana defeated Fresno State 7-4 on March 11, 2018.

SCOUTING THE WOLVERINES
The Wolverines finished the 2018 season with an overall 32-9 (7-1 CWPA). Michigan took home its third-straight CWPA Championship. The Wolverines earned a bid to the 2018 NCAA Tournament as a No. 6 seed, they advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to Cal. Michigan returns its top two scorers in Julia Sellers and Maddy Steere. Sellers scored 81 goals for the Wolverines, earning a spot on the 2018 All-CWPA First-Team. Steere scored 64 goals, she was also named to the 2018 All-CWPA First-Team.

Although the two teams played in an exhibition game last season, this will be the first regular season game between the programs.

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Bulldogs open 2019 campaign at UCSB Invitational

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Players Mentioned

Madelynn Garcia

Emily Nicholson

Callie Woodruff

Fresno State Athletics