No. 4 Fresno State bests No. 5 Azusa Pacific in GCC Championship quarterfinals, 8-6

FRESNO, Calif.– The No. 4-seeded Fresno State water polo team bested No. 5 Azusa Pacific in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Golden Coast Conference Championship quarterfinals at the Aquatics Center, Friday night.

"Today's game was fantastic for us as a program," head coach Natalie Benson said. "We had the opportunity to see our freshmen step up with quality minutes and have the team finish the game with confidence in both their ability to get solid defensive stops, as well as putting the ball in the net with authority. For us to be in the top four of the conference is great, but there are two more days of this tournament."

Junior Callie Woodruff, an All-GCC Second Team selection, led the Bulldogs with hat trick in the game. Senior goalkeeper Mackenzie Richards recorded nine saves on the night.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Woodruff opened the game with a goal to put Fresno State up 1-0 with 5:29 left in the first quarter. Fresno State's defense was able to hold Azusa Pacific scoreless for the first eight minutes

Woodruff chalked another goal to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead to start the second quarter. The Cougars countered with a goal, but Woodruff was right back at the net to make it a hat trick. Azusa Pacific found an offensive spark to score back-to-back goals, making it 3-3. GCC All-Freshman team honoree Daphne Guevremont scored two consecutive goals to give Fresno State a 5-3 lead at the half.

The Cougars came out of the huddle fired up, going on a 3-0 run to take the lead 6-5. Isabella Magno ended the run with an unassisted goal to knot the game 6-6 at the end of the third quarter.

Claire Schade won the sprint to give the Bulldogs possession to start the final quarter. Freshman Sienna Jagielski scored back-to-back goals to seal in the win for Fresno State. The Bulldogs punched their ticket to the semifinals with a 8-6 victory.

SCORING:
Fresno State: 1, 4, 1, 2 | 8
Azusa Pacific: 0, 3, 3, 0 | 6
Fresno State Goals: Woodruff 3, Guevremont 2, Jagielski 2, Magno

WHAT'S NEXT
No. 4 Fresno State will face No. 1 Pacific in the semifinals on Saturday, April 27 at 4:15 p.m. PT at the Aquatics Center.

TICKETS
Single day tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children while all-session passes are $30 for adults and $15 for children. Tickets can be purchased one hour prior to the start of the first game each day (there are no advance sales). Fresno State students will receive free admission.

"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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No. 4 Fresno State bests No. 5 Azusa Pacific in GCC Championship quarterfinals, 8-6

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Players Mentioned

Daphne Guevremont

Sienna Jagielski

Isabella Magno

Mackenzie Richards

Claire Schade

Callie Woodruff

Fresno State Athletics