Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, April 27
Fresno, Calif.
4:15 p.m. PT
Fresno State
7
vs
11
Pacific
No. 4 Bulldogs fall to No. 1 Tigers in GCC Semifinal, 11-7
4/27/2019 9:42:00 PM | Water Polo
FRESNO, Calif. – The No. 4-seeded Fresno State water polo team fell in a hard-fought battle to reigning conference champions No. 1 Pacific, 11-7 at the Aquatics Center in the Golden Coast Conference Semifinals on Saturday night.
"I'm really proud of our players," head coach Natalie Benson said. "They came out and competed hard for four quarters, which is something that we haven't done consistently this season. I'm proud of their fight, their effort and their preparation. We had players come up with big plays today. I'm happy with the way we have progressed throughout the year, and I think we gave Pacific a good fight today. We secured a top four finish in the conference, but tomorrow we have the opportunity to be third."
All-GCC Second Team selection Callie Woodruff led the Bulldogs on offense with two goals. In goal, Mackenzie Richards logged seven saves on the night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Claire Schade started the game strong for the Bulldogs, winning the sprint to gain the opening possession, but the Tigers scored back-to-back goals to take a 2-0 lead. Freshman Yesenia Preciado put Fresno State on the board, finding the back of the net off a pass from Sienna Jagielski with 3:14 left in the first quarter. The teams exchanged goals to end the quarter, finishing the first eight minutes with Pacific leading 3-2.
Freshman Emily Diacono stepped up for the Bulldogs, launching one into the back of the net to tie the game 3-3 to start the second quarter. Pacific went on a 3-0 run to take a 6-3 lead with 4:52 remaining. Trystyn Vuori halted the Tigers' run with a Fresno State goal to end the quarter. Pacific took a 6-4 lead into halftime.
GCC Player of the Year Kyra Christmas opened the second half with back-to-back goals for the Tigers. Pacific would tack on one more to take a 9-3 lead with 4:33 left in the third quarter. The Bulldogs were not going to back down, Jagielski launched a shot from across the pool to score with one second left. Pacific would take a 9-5 lead into the final eight minutes.
Woodruff opened the scoring in the fourth quarter, making it back-to-back goals for Fresno State. Pacific responded with two goals of its own to extend the Tigers' lead 11-6. Woodruff attacked again for the Bulldogs, scoring off a pass from Jagielski for Fresno State's final goal. Pacific took the win 11-7 to advance to the GCC Championship.
WHAT'S NEXT
Fresno State will take on San Diego State for third place tomorrow at 12:45 p.m. PT at the Fresno State Aquatics Center.
TICKETSÂ
Single day tickets are $10 for adults and $5 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.
SCORING
Fresno State: 2, 2, 1, 2 |7
Pacific: 3, 3, 3, 2 | 11
Fresno State Goals: Woodruff 2, Coachman, Diacono, Jagielski, Vuori, Preciado
Â
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateWP
Instagram:Â fresnostatewp
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Â
"I'm really proud of our players," head coach Natalie Benson said. "They came out and competed hard for four quarters, which is something that we haven't done consistently this season. I'm proud of their fight, their effort and their preparation. We had players come up with big plays today. I'm happy with the way we have progressed throughout the year, and I think we gave Pacific a good fight today. We secured a top four finish in the conference, but tomorrow we have the opportunity to be third."
All-GCC Second Team selection Callie Woodruff led the Bulldogs on offense with two goals. In goal, Mackenzie Richards logged seven saves on the night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Claire Schade started the game strong for the Bulldogs, winning the sprint to gain the opening possession, but the Tigers scored back-to-back goals to take a 2-0 lead. Freshman Yesenia Preciado put Fresno State on the board, finding the back of the net off a pass from Sienna Jagielski with 3:14 left in the first quarter. The teams exchanged goals to end the quarter, finishing the first eight minutes with Pacific leading 3-2.
Freshman Emily Diacono stepped up for the Bulldogs, launching one into the back of the net to tie the game 3-3 to start the second quarter. Pacific went on a 3-0 run to take a 6-3 lead with 4:52 remaining. Trystyn Vuori halted the Tigers' run with a Fresno State goal to end the quarter. Pacific took a 6-4 lead into halftime.
GCC Player of the Year Kyra Christmas opened the second half with back-to-back goals for the Tigers. Pacific would tack on one more to take a 9-3 lead with 4:33 left in the third quarter. The Bulldogs were not going to back down, Jagielski launched a shot from across the pool to score with one second left. Pacific would take a 9-5 lead into the final eight minutes.
Woodruff opened the scoring in the fourth quarter, making it back-to-back goals for Fresno State. Pacific responded with two goals of its own to extend the Tigers' lead 11-6. Woodruff attacked again for the Bulldogs, scoring off a pass from Jagielski for Fresno State's final goal. Pacific took the win 11-7 to advance to the GCC Championship.
WHAT'S NEXT
Fresno State will take on San Diego State for third place tomorrow at 12:45 p.m. PT at the Fresno State Aquatics Center.
TICKETSÂ
Single day tickets are $10 for adults and $5 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.
SCORING
Fresno State: 2, 2, 1, 2 |7
Pacific: 3, 3, 3, 2 | 11
Fresno State Goals: Woodruff 2, Coachman, Diacono, Jagielski, Vuori, Preciado
Â
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateWP
Instagram:Â fresnostatewp
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Â
Players Mentioned
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