'Dogs have strong first day at Aggie Classic

DAVIS, Calif. - The No. 12-ranked Fresno State women's water polo team split the first day of the Aggie Classic on Saturday at Schaal Aquatics Center. The Bulldogs fell in a tough battle to No. 1 Stanford 8-6, and defeated No. 18 Pacific 12-7 in a dominant offensive effort.

Against Stanford, Emily Nicholson led the team on offense with three goals on six attempts and swiped two steals. Paula Nieto Jasny was solid in the goal, she grabbed 12 saves and snagged four steals against the Cardinal. Against Pacific, it was a balanced scoring attack as six Bulldogs scored the team's 12 goals. Callie Woodruff and Cynthia Rosa led the team with three goals apiece. Jasny snatched 10 saves in the goal.

"It was a good day for us," said head coach Natalie Benson, "splitting our day with a win, and having a four-quarter battle with the defending National Champion. I'm happy with the team's effort and attitude towards our challenge this weekend, and how they were able to apply many of the things we have been working on in training. Our defense made some strides, and Paula (Nieto Jasny) held it down in the cage with a fantastic performance."

How it happened

vs. Stanford - The Bulldogs started the game off strong with a goal from Maddie Loggins to open the scoring. Nicholson followed to net another goal with 5:15 left in the quarter to give Fresno State a 2-0 advantage against the top-ranked team in the country. Stanford seized the momentum throughout the remainder of the first quarter, using a 3-0 run to take the lead as time expired on the opening frame.

The Cardinal continued their run into the second quarter, netting a goal at the 6:14 mark to extend their lead, 4-2. Stanford drew a penalty foul next, but Jasny made the stop for the Bulldogs. The Cardinal increased their run to five unanswered goals before Nicholson fired off back-to-back goals to clinch an early hat trick to make it a one-goal game. The Bulldogs trailed 5-4 at halftime.

Nicholson swiped a steal that led to a goal by Kaitlin Howarth to tie the game 5-5 with 5:15 left in the third quarter. Both offenses fired off shots, but Stanford prevailed to net two more goals to retake the lead, 7-5, to end the quarter.

Stanford won its fourth sprint of the night to kick off the fourth quarter. An offensive foul by Stanford handed possession over to the Bulldogs, allowing Woodruff to score off an assist from Claire Schade to narrow Stanford's lead to one with 7:04 remaining in the contest. Jasny recorded a pair of saves, but Stanford found the back of the net with 1:45 left in regulation to move back in front by two goals. Fresno State fell to Stanford 8-6.

vs. Pacific - Fresno State won the sprint to start the game. Daphne Guevremont scored right out of the gate and Nicholson netted another goal for the Bulldogs less than a minute later to put Fresno State in front 2-0. The Tigers responded with two goals to square the game, but the Bulldogs kept firing and Woodruff found the back of the net with back-to-back goals of her own to put the 'Dogs back on top by two with 2:13 left in the first quarter. Both teams exchanged goals to finish the quarter as the 'Dogs led 5-3 after a busy opening frame.

The second quarter started out with strong defense from both teams, keeping each other out of the net for the first four minutes. Guevremont struck first but was quickly countered by Pacific scoring with 2:44 left in the quarter. Pacific would tally one more goal before the end of the half to close their deficit to one with the Bulldogs leading 6-5.

Rosa scored the first goal of the third quarter to send the Bulldogs on a 4-0 run that resulted in a 10-5 lead. The Tigers halted the run netting a goal with 2:54 left in the quarter. Jasny made back-to-back saves for the Bulldogs as they took a 10-6 lead into the final quarter.

Pacific took a timeout early in the quarter and converted a goal out of it. The Bulldogs continued their offensive momentum, tacking on two more goals to close out the game for a 12-5 win.

SCORING SUMMARY
Fresno State: 2-2-1-1 | 6
Stanford: 3-2-2-1 | 8
Fresno State goals: Nicholson 3, Loggins, Woodruff, Howarth

Fresno State: 5-1-4-2 | 12
Pacific: 3-2-1-1 | 7
Fresno State goals: Rosa 3, Woodruff 3, Nicholson 2, Guevremont 2, Schade, Sonkoly'

What's next: Fresno State will compete in day two of the Aggie Classic against UC Davis on Sun., Feb. 16.

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – 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 visit bulldogfoundation.org.

Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWP
Instagram: FresnoStateWP
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics

Fresno State Athletics

'Dogs have strong first day at Aggie Classic

Related News

Players Mentioned

Daphne Guevremont

Kaitlin Howarth

Maddie Loggins

Emily Nicholson

Paula Nieto Jasny

Cynthia Rosa

Claire Schade

Callie Woodruff

Related Videos