Bulldogs' comeback falls short versus Marquette

Saturday, February 29

Tempe, AZ

11 a.m. PT

Fresno State

Marquette

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Bulldogs' comeback falls short versus Marquette

2/29/2020 3:30:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

By: Savannah Stoeckle / Communications Assistant

TEMPE, Ariz. - It was a battle of offensive efforts in a neutral site meeting between Fresno State and Marquette at Arizona State on Saturday afternoon. With 35 total goals scored, Marquette came out with an 18-17 win and Fresno State moves to 2-2 on the season.

The Bulldogs had 10 goal scorers in the game and were led by sophomore Sydney Skalstad who scored four goals. Freshman Hennessey Evans scored her first collegiate hat trick and seniors Marina Mayo and Tiffiny Wallace added two apiece. Wallace led the team with a career-high five assists.

Defensively, Evans led the way with a career-best four caused turnovers and four ground balls. The freshman also added two draw controls for the 'Dogs. Laurel Maunder and Courtney Walburger split time in the cage against Marquette.

How it happened
The 'Dogs were on the board first as Wallace fired one for a goal in the first 50 seconds of play after Jordyn Pandolfo forced a turnover and grabbed the ground ball. Marquette answered back to tie things at one, but Skalstad answered with her first goal of the game with 26:58 on the clock. Marquette responded with back-to-back goals to take a 3-2 lead in the first half. Megan Walaitis ended the Marquette scoring run to tie the game for the third time in just the first five minutes, then Wallace scored another on a free position shot to give Fresno State a 4-3 lead.

Marquette closed out the first half on a 9-3 scoring run to finish the first 30 minutes with a 12-7 lead over the 'Dogs.

Fresno State didn't let a five goal deficit halt the scoring efforts as it went on to score 10 goals on 22 shots in the second half. Marquette scored the first four goals of the second period, extending its run to nine unanswered goals and giving it a 16-7 lead before the fire in the Bulldogs' offense began to heat up.

Redshirt freshman Jaimi Pollack scored her first collegiate goal on a free position shot to kickstart the scoring run for the Bulldogs with 15:54 left in the game. Pollack's goal sparked a 6-0 run for the 'Dogs as Evans scored two goals, and Mayo and Pandolfo added one each. Freshman Portia Card scored her first collegiate goal on a man-up opportunity to put the Bulldogs within three, 16-13, with 11:35 remaining.

Marquette scored its first goal in eight minutes on a free position shot to put them up 17-13, but Skalstad answered with her third goal of the game to keep the 'Dogs in striking distance. The Golden Eagles scored their last goal of the game with 5:47 remaining, and Fresno State kept firing. Mayo found the back of the net on a free-position shot, and Skalstad followed with another goal on a man-up opportunity.

The Bulldogs trailed 18-16 with 13 seconds remaining in the game before Wallace found Evans for the goal that put the 'Dogs within one. Marquette won the following draw and would keep possession to halt any scoring chances for the 'Dogs.

Up Next
The Bulldogs stay in Arizona to face Pac-12 foe Arizona State on Monday at 1 p.m. PT. The game will be streamed live on the Pac-12 network and live stats will be available.

Fresno State will play three games in the next eight days on the road before returning home to host Yale on Mar. 12.

Notable

Fresno State led in shots (42-29), ground balls (24-22), draw controls (20-17) and caused turnovers (12-6).
The 'Dogs posted season-high shot numbers (42) and caused turnovers (12).
Fresno State took advantage of every man-up opportunity it had in the game, scoring on all three of the Marquette yellow cards in the contest.
Jaimi Pollack and Portia Card scored their first career goals on Saturday.
Courtney Walburger saw her first minutes of game action in the cage this season, playing 22:45 for the 'Dogs.
Hennessey Evans had four caused turnovers - ties for the most by any 'Dog this season.
Fresno State's 42 shots were the second-most in program history, and the most since 2018.
Fresno State's two losses this year have both been decided by just one goal.

"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.

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