Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, February 22
Fresno, CA
11:30 a.m. PT
Fresno State
20
vs
4
Cal Lutheran
‘Dogs roll in 20-4 win over Cal Lutheran
2/22/2020 9:00:00 PM | Water Polo
FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State water polo team rolled past Cal Lutheran, 20-4, on Saturday to kick off the Fresno State Invite at the Aquatics Center. The Bulldogs improved to 7-7 (1-0 GCC), and 3-0 at home this season.
A trio of Bulldogs scored hat tricks against Cal Lutheran. Emily Nicholson, Callie Woodruff and Sienna Jagielski led the 'Dogs with three goals apiece. Freshman goalkeeper Paula Nieto Jasny grabbed 11 saves and five steals.
How it Happened
The Bulldogs found their offensive rhythm right from the start, going on a 6-0 run sparked by the first goal from Claire Schade. The Regals netted their first goal of the game with 0:45 left in the quarter, but Woodruff countered just 20 seconds later with a goal for the Bulldogs to take a 7-1 lead into the second period.
Nicholson capitalized on a power play off an assist from Emily Diacono to clinch a hat trick at the 6:29 mark and give Fresno State an 8-1 advantage. The 'Dogs pulled further away in the contest by scoring three more goals while their defense held the Regals scoreless for the entirety of the quarter. The Bulldogs owned an 11-1 lead at halftime.
The Bulldogs' offensive firepower continued into the third quarter as they netted five more goals in the frame. It started with a Jasny steal that led to a goal by Megan Greenwood with 7:09 left in the quarter to put the 'Dogs up 12-1. Isabella Sonkoly netted her first goal of the game off an assist from Maddie Loggins with 5:46 on the clock to build the lead to 13-1. After taking a time out, Cal Lutheran converted a goal out of it for its second score of the game. The Bulldogs swiftly responded to net back-to-back goals, one by Yesenia Preciado and the next by Woodruff to strengthen their lead to 15-2 with 3:27 left in the third. Cal Lutheran outscored the 'Dogs by one, 2-1, over the final three minutes. The 'Dogs had a 16-4 lead heading into the final quarter.
Schade opened the scoring in the fourth quarter at the 5:50 mark to snatch a hat trick and extend the Bulldogs' lead to 13. Sonkoly followed to find the back of the net off an assist from Preciado to put the Bulldogs up 18-4. Jagielski and Erin McBride rounded out the scoring for Fresno State with one goal apiece down the stretch while the Jasny and the defense kept the Regals out of the net in the final quarter.
SCORING SUMMARY
Fresno State: 7-4-5-4 | 20
Cal Lutheran: 1-0-3-0 | 4
Fresno State goals: Nicholson 3, Woodruff 3, Jagielski 3, Sonkoly 2, Rosa 2, Greenwood 2, Schade 2, Guevremont, McBride, Preciado
Quotes
Natalie Benson, Fresno State Head Coach
On the team's performance…
"I think the team did a really good job of staying focused for four quarters, regardless of who was in, and how many minutes they've gotten over the course of the season. I think they put great effort into each possession, which is important. That's something we have to do all the time, and that's something we've been stressing to the group. I think it showed today with only allowing four goals and putting up quite a few as well, it was a much better concerted effort on defense. Ultimately, we're earning the opportunities to take shots and our defense is improving in our half court set."
On the mindset for tomorrow's game...
"We're looking forward to seeing that continue into tomorrow and obviously a rematch against FPU. They've seen us and we've seen them. It'll be nice to finish the weekend with the same effort we've put in today."
What's next - Fresno State will compete against Fresno Pacific at 1 p.m. on the second day of the Fresno State Invite on Feb. 23.
"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 www.bulldogfoundation.org.
A trio of Bulldogs scored hat tricks against Cal Lutheran. Emily Nicholson, Callie Woodruff and Sienna Jagielski led the 'Dogs with three goals apiece. Freshman goalkeeper Paula Nieto Jasny grabbed 11 saves and five steals.
How it Happened
The Bulldogs found their offensive rhythm right from the start, going on a 6-0 run sparked by the first goal from Claire Schade. The Regals netted their first goal of the game with 0:45 left in the quarter, but Woodruff countered just 20 seconds later with a goal for the Bulldogs to take a 7-1 lead into the second period.
Nicholson capitalized on a power play off an assist from Emily Diacono to clinch a hat trick at the 6:29 mark and give Fresno State an 8-1 advantage. The 'Dogs pulled further away in the contest by scoring three more goals while their defense held the Regals scoreless for the entirety of the quarter. The Bulldogs owned an 11-1 lead at halftime.
The Bulldogs' offensive firepower continued into the third quarter as they netted five more goals in the frame. It started with a Jasny steal that led to a goal by Megan Greenwood with 7:09 left in the quarter to put the 'Dogs up 12-1. Isabella Sonkoly netted her first goal of the game off an assist from Maddie Loggins with 5:46 on the clock to build the lead to 13-1. After taking a time out, Cal Lutheran converted a goal out of it for its second score of the game. The Bulldogs swiftly responded to net back-to-back goals, one by Yesenia Preciado and the next by Woodruff to strengthen their lead to 15-2 with 3:27 left in the third. Cal Lutheran outscored the 'Dogs by one, 2-1, over the final three minutes. The 'Dogs had a 16-4 lead heading into the final quarter.
Schade opened the scoring in the fourth quarter at the 5:50 mark to snatch a hat trick and extend the Bulldogs' lead to 13. Sonkoly followed to find the back of the net off an assist from Preciado to put the Bulldogs up 18-4. Jagielski and Erin McBride rounded out the scoring for Fresno State with one goal apiece down the stretch while the Jasny and the defense kept the Regals out of the net in the final quarter.
SCORING SUMMARY
Fresno State: 7-4-5-4 | 20
Cal Lutheran: 1-0-3-0 | 4
Fresno State goals: Nicholson 3, Woodruff 3, Jagielski 3, Sonkoly 2, Rosa 2, Greenwood 2, Schade 2, Guevremont, McBride, Preciado
Quotes
Natalie Benson, Fresno State Head Coach
On the team's performance…
"I think the team did a really good job of staying focused for four quarters, regardless of who was in, and how many minutes they've gotten over the course of the season. I think they put great effort into each possession, which is important. That's something we have to do all the time, and that's something we've been stressing to the group. I think it showed today with only allowing four goals and putting up quite a few as well, it was a much better concerted effort on defense. Ultimately, we're earning the opportunities to take shots and our defense is improving in our half court set."
On the mindset for tomorrow's game...
"We're looking forward to seeing that continue into tomorrow and obviously a rematch against FPU. They've seen us and we've seen them. It'll be nice to finish the weekend with the same effort we've put in today."
What's next - Fresno State will compete against Fresno Pacific at 1 p.m. on the second day of the Fresno State Invite on Feb. 23.
"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 www.bulldogfoundation.org.
Players Mentioned
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/ Water Polo
Goalkeeper
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/ Water Polo
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