Fresno State Athletics
Friday, February 21
Fresno, CA
5:30 PM PT
Fresno State
17
vs
10
Azusa Pacific
Photo by: Keith Kountz
‘Dogs earn victory over Azusa Pacific in conference opener
2/21/2020 10:15:00 PM | Water Polo
FRESNO, Calif. - The No. 11 Fresno State water polo team took down Azusa Pacific 17-10 in its conference opener at home on Friday at the Fresno State Aquatics Center.
The Bulldogs were led by Emily Nicholson who fired five goals on five shots, one shy of her career-high. Callie Woodruff and Claire Schade also contributed with hat tricks scoring three goals apiece. The 'Dogs saw eight different scorers on their 17 goals. Freshman goalkeeper Paula Nieto Jasny had five saves in the game.
Fresno State improves to a 6-7 (1-0 GCC) record.
How it Happened
The Bulldogs came out firing with a goal from Daphne Guevremont that led to a 3-0 run right out of the gate. The Cougars halted their run with 2:57 left in the first quarter but Emily Nicholson answered back off an assist from Sienna Jagielski to put the 'Dogs up, 4-1. Schade would net one more goal for the 'Dogs to take a 5-1 lead as time expired in the opening quarter.
Fresno State carried the momentum into the second quarter to see back-to-back goals by Woodruff. The Cougars found the back on the net with two goals of their own but Cynthia Rosa snatched her first goal of the game at the 4:28 mark to extend their lead, 8-3. The Cougars netted their final goal of the first half with 2:10 left on the clock but Woodruff fired back to clinch an early hat trick. The Bulldogs led 9-4 at halftime.
Both teams exchanged two offensive fouls and Fresno State would eventually gain the possession, allowing Schade to score with 6:54 left in the third quarter. Nicholson pushed two consecutive goals that resulted in a 12-4 lead for the Bulldogs. Both teams' offenses were ignited, each team netted three goals apiece in the last three minutes of the third quarter. The 'Dogs took a 15-7 lead into the final quarter.
The Cougars scored the first goal of the quarter but Schade countered to net a goal of her own. Azusa then scored quick back-to-back goals to shorten the gap, 'Dogs lead 16-10. Nicholson scored her fifth and final goal of the night off an assist from Schade to finish out the game for a 17-10 win.
SCORING SUMMARY
Fresno State: 5, 4, 6, 2 | 17
Azusa Pacific: 1, 3, 3, 3 | 10
Fresno State goals: Nicholson 5, Woodruff 3, Schade 3, Guevremont 2, Coachman, Rosa, Jagielski, Howarth
Quotes
Natalie Benson, Fresno State Head Coach
On the first conference win...
"It's nice to get your first win against a conference opponent, and [Azusa Pacific] always has good teams. They have kids that can play, they obviously can shoot the ball. A win is a win right now, it's nice to get our first conference win under our belt."
Thoughts on the Fresno State Invite…
"We're looking forward to playing at home this weekend, having a couple games where we can work on some things we need to work on and get ready for the rest of conference play. Just being able to implement some of the things we've been working on and work on some personnel things."
What's next - Fresno State remains at home to host the Fresno State Invite on Feb. 22-23. For more information on the tournament, visit the tournament central page.
"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.
The Bulldogs were led by Emily Nicholson who fired five goals on five shots, one shy of her career-high. Callie Woodruff and Claire Schade also contributed with hat tricks scoring three goals apiece. The 'Dogs saw eight different scorers on their 17 goals. Freshman goalkeeper Paula Nieto Jasny had five saves in the game.
Fresno State improves to a 6-7 (1-0 GCC) record.
How it Happened
The Bulldogs came out firing with a goal from Daphne Guevremont that led to a 3-0 run right out of the gate. The Cougars halted their run with 2:57 left in the first quarter but Emily Nicholson answered back off an assist from Sienna Jagielski to put the 'Dogs up, 4-1. Schade would net one more goal for the 'Dogs to take a 5-1 lead as time expired in the opening quarter.
Fresno State carried the momentum into the second quarter to see back-to-back goals by Woodruff. The Cougars found the back on the net with two goals of their own but Cynthia Rosa snatched her first goal of the game at the 4:28 mark to extend their lead, 8-3. The Cougars netted their final goal of the first half with 2:10 left on the clock but Woodruff fired back to clinch an early hat trick. The Bulldogs led 9-4 at halftime.
Both teams exchanged two offensive fouls and Fresno State would eventually gain the possession, allowing Schade to score with 6:54 left in the third quarter. Nicholson pushed two consecutive goals that resulted in a 12-4 lead for the Bulldogs. Both teams' offenses were ignited, each team netted three goals apiece in the last three minutes of the third quarter. The 'Dogs took a 15-7 lead into the final quarter.
The Cougars scored the first goal of the quarter but Schade countered to net a goal of her own. Azusa then scored quick back-to-back goals to shorten the gap, 'Dogs lead 16-10. Nicholson scored her fifth and final goal of the night off an assist from Schade to finish out the game for a 17-10 win.
SCORING SUMMARY
Fresno State: 5, 4, 6, 2 | 17
Azusa Pacific: 1, 3, 3, 3 | 10
Fresno State goals: Nicholson 5, Woodruff 3, Schade 3, Guevremont 2, Coachman, Rosa, Jagielski, Howarth
Quotes
Natalie Benson, Fresno State Head Coach
On the first conference win...
"It's nice to get your first win against a conference opponent, and [Azusa Pacific] always has good teams. They have kids that can play, they obviously can shoot the ball. A win is a win right now, it's nice to get our first conference win under our belt."
Thoughts on the Fresno State Invite…
"We're looking forward to playing at home this weekend, having a couple games where we can work on some things we need to work on and get ready for the rest of conference play. Just being able to implement some of the things we've been working on and work on some personnel things."
What's next - Fresno State remains at home to host the Fresno State Invite on Feb. 22-23. For more information on the tournament, visit the tournament central page.
"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.
Players Mentioned
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/ Water Polo
/ Water Polo
Goalkeeper
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/ Water Polo
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/ Water Polo
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