Fresno State Athletics
Friday, November 1
San Jose, CA
7:00 PM PT
Fresno State
9-6-3, 4-4-2
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San Jose State
7-8-4, 5-4-2
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San Jose St.
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Fresno State finishes MW play, clinches spot in 2019 MW Championship Tournament
11/1/2019 11:22:00 PM | Women's Soccer
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Fresno State women's soccer team finished the regular season with a 2-1 loss to San Jose State on the road, but managed to secure its position in the 2019 Mountain West Championship Tournament, on Sunday night in the Spartan Soccer Complex.
"The players deserve a huge amount of credit for pulling through in an extremely demanding campaign," said head coach Brian Zwaschka. "It was peppered with the key results that got us into the playoffs and some terrific play along the way. We've never experienced a tighter league table, and some very good teams will be left at home wishing they were in our place. We really look forward to the opportunity before us in the post season tournament and we still feel strongly that our best play is yet to come."
Fresno State finishes the regular season with an overall record of 9-6-3 (5-4-2 MW). The Bulldogs clinched their spot in the postseason conference tournament for the third consecutive season.
Ele Avery, Tori Nicolo, Megan Amick, Sydni Lunt, Melissa Ellis, Shantay Tamez, Kasidee Wiley, Robyn McCarthy, Jordan Brown and Bailee Kern chalked the start for the Bulldogs, with Alex Best in the box.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both team played strong defense to start the first half. The Spartans were held without a shot until the 15th minute when they were able to get a look at the goal, but missed left.
SJSU's defense prevented a Fresno State shot for thirty minutes, until Avery got one off in a crowded box off a rebounded pass from Ellis. The Bulldogs owned a 1-0 lead with 14 minutes left in the half.
With neither team able to get a shot off before the end of the half, Fresno State would take its 1-0 lead into halftime.
After 45 minutes, both teams recorded one shot apiece. SJSU owned the advantage in corners 3-0.
The Bulldogs started the second half trying to extend their lead with a shot from Avery, the Spartans' goalie was able to keep them in the match with a crucial save.
SJSU responded with an offensive spark of their own, kicking off four consecutive shots with back-to-back shots on goal but Best was able to make both saves to keep the Spartans off the board. The other two shots missed the box.
Avery took the Bulldogs' final shot of the match in the 61st minute, but she missed wide to the right.
SJSU tied the match in the 73rd minute when Kristen Amarikwa found the back of the net for the Spartans. The Spartans were able to quickly extend their lead in the 85th minute when Carlie James scored.
Fresno State was unable to get a shot off as time expired, and SJSU would come away with a 2-1 victory.
NOTABLES:
WHAT'S NEXT
Fresno State will begin its quest for a MW Tournament Championship on Tuesday, Nov. 5 in Boise. Idaho. The Bulldogs will enter the tournament as the No. 6 team and are slated to face No. 3 Colorado State in the quarterfinals at 10 a.m. PT.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley"Â - The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160
Â
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateWSOC
Instagram:Â FresnoStateWSOC
Facebook:Â Fresno State Athletics
Â
"The players deserve a huge amount of credit for pulling through in an extremely demanding campaign," said head coach Brian Zwaschka. "It was peppered with the key results that got us into the playoffs and some terrific play along the way. We've never experienced a tighter league table, and some very good teams will be left at home wishing they were in our place. We really look forward to the opportunity before us in the post season tournament and we still feel strongly that our best play is yet to come."
Fresno State finishes the regular season with an overall record of 9-6-3 (5-4-2 MW). The Bulldogs clinched their spot in the postseason conference tournament for the third consecutive season.
Ele Avery, Tori Nicolo, Megan Amick, Sydni Lunt, Melissa Ellis, Shantay Tamez, Kasidee Wiley, Robyn McCarthy, Jordan Brown and Bailee Kern chalked the start for the Bulldogs, with Alex Best in the box.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both team played strong defense to start the first half. The Spartans were held without a shot until the 15th minute when they were able to get a look at the goal, but missed left.
SJSU's defense prevented a Fresno State shot for thirty minutes, until Avery got one off in a crowded box off a rebounded pass from Ellis. The Bulldogs owned a 1-0 lead with 14 minutes left in the half.
With neither team able to get a shot off before the end of the half, Fresno State would take its 1-0 lead into halftime.
After 45 minutes, both teams recorded one shot apiece. SJSU owned the advantage in corners 3-0.
The Bulldogs started the second half trying to extend their lead with a shot from Avery, the Spartans' goalie was able to keep them in the match with a crucial save.
SJSU responded with an offensive spark of their own, kicking off four consecutive shots with back-to-back shots on goal but Best was able to make both saves to keep the Spartans off the board. The other two shots missed the box.
Avery took the Bulldogs' final shot of the match in the 61st minute, but she missed wide to the right.
SJSU tied the match in the 73rd minute when Kristen Amarikwa found the back of the net for the Spartans. The Spartans were able to quickly extend their lead in the 85th minute when Carlie James scored.
Fresno State was unable to get a shot off as time expired, and SJSU would come away with a 2-1 victory.
NOTABLES:
- Fresno State advances to the MW Championship Tournament for the third consecutive season.
- Fresno State will enter the MW Tournament as the No. 6 seed.
- SJSU owned the advantage in shots (9-3) and corners (7-0).
- Fresno State was held to its second lowest shot total this season (3).
- Alex Best logged two saves.
- Ele Avery scored her fifth goal of the season.
- All five of Avery's goals have been scored during conference play.
WHAT'S NEXT
Fresno State will begin its quest for a MW Tournament Championship on Tuesday, Nov. 5 in Boise. Idaho. The Bulldogs will enter the tournament as the No. 6 team and are slated to face No. 3 Colorado State in the quarterfinals at 10 a.m. PT.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley"Â - The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160
Â
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateWSOC
Instagram:Â FresnoStateWSOC
Facebook:Â Fresno State Athletics
Â
Team Stats
FS
SJSU
Goals
1
2
Shots
3
9
Shots on Goal
2
4
Saves
2
1
Corners
0
7
Fouls
14
8
Scoring Plays
Ele Avery (1)
Assisted By: Melissa Ellis
GOAL by FS Avery, Ele Assist by Ellis, Melissa.
30:17
Kristen Amarikwa (1)
GOAL by SJSU Amarikwa, Kristen.
72:09
Carlie James (1)
GOAL by SJSU James, Carlie.
84:53
Game Leaders
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's Soccer
MF/D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
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