Bulldogs falter in overtime game with Yale

Thursday, March 12

Fresno, CA

2:00 PM PT

Fresno State

2-6

Yale

4-2

YALE

Fresno State

Photo by: Kiel Maddox

Bulldogs falter in overtime game with Yale

3/12/2020 8:05:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Photo Gallery Seniors (KeithKountz)Photo Gallery Game (KeithKountz)

By: Savannah Stoeckle / Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's lacrosse team fell in an overtime battle, 13-12, against Yale in a Thursday afternoon competition at the Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium.

Fresno State was led in scoring by Marina Mayo who fired a hat trick, her first of the season. Sydney Skalstad also had three goals, Megan Walaitis added two, and Hannah Krats, Tiffiny Wallace, Kayla Galet and Bailey Truex had one apiece.

Fresno State celebrated its 2020 senior class on Thursday as Mayo, Wallace, Galet, Olivia Mannon, Laurel Maunder, Olivia Sandoval, Jordyn Pandolfo and Kayle Kaesbauer were honored for their decorated Bulldog careers.

"I could not be more proud of our eight seniors," said head coach Kara Concheck. "Not just on the field, but off the field. They are such an impressive group, and they are truly the ones that started a new tradition of winning in our program. I really accredit those eight seniors for the way these last couple of seasons have gone, and looking ahead for the future of our program."

How it happened
Yale netted the first goal on a free-position shot at the 28 minute mark before Mayo scored on the man-up opportunity with an assist from Lauren Kiszely to tie the game, 1-1. Yale scored the next three goals to extend its lead to 4-1 with 21:01 remaining in the half.

Skalstad ended Yale's run with a goal off the pass from Kiszely, and Mayo was quick with another goal for the Bulldogs to put Fresno State within one, 4-3. Yale struck again, though, to extend its lead. Fresno State scored the next two as Krats scored on a free-position, and Wallace evened the score at five apiece with six minutes remaining.

Yale scored again shortly after to retake the lead, 6-5. Neither team scored for the final five minutes as Yale took their one goal advantage into halftime.

Scoring in the second half opened with a Yale goal, but Fresno State responded with three unanswered goals from Walaitis, Mayo and Truex. Truex, a true freshman, netted her first collegiate goal to give Fresno State the lead, 8-7. The back-and-forth continued as Yale's Olivia Markert scored back-to-back goals to go back in front, 9-8.

Fresno State responded with a pair of goals from Skalstad and Galet to take another lead, this time 10-9. Yale scored three goals over the next three minutes to take a two-goal lead with seven minutes left in regulation.

With time winding down on the clock, Fresno State scored two goals in 40 seconds, and kept Yale from scoring on its final possession of regulation to push the game into overtime tied 12-12.

Fresno State won the opening draw of the first overtime period and had possession for over two minutes of the three minute period. Yale scored with four seconds remaining in the sudden death overtime period to take the win.

Quotables
Head Coach Kara Concheck
On Yale...
"Yale is a phenomenal team, and the season that they have had so far has been really impressive, so the fact that we came out today and played 60 minutes like we know we can, it was a successful day for us. We are going to take it as a win in our book."

On honoring Yale seniors...
"When their head coach contacted me, we said 'absolutely!', especially if it is going to be their last game. We wanted to make sure we did everything we could, and make sure that they feel that love and support from their families. We know some had to change flights for the game, but it is definitely an emotional time. I definitely feel for the Yale players, and now us too. It is a tough one, but we are appreciative of being able to play today."

On the game...
"I think we really possessed the ball well. We are a gritty team. We saw a lot of fight in the draw controls and we were controlling the tempo of the game. We can put the ball in the back of the net at will, but it is just a matter of playing as a collective unit on both sides of the field. We need to make sure we tie the defensive and attack unit together to make sure that we are playing confidently and that we are not turning the ball over. We are such good ball handlers, but sometimes we make unforced errors. We reminded the girls that if the ball is in your stick, you are in control."

On her thoughts on the COVID-19...
"I think a lot of people in athletics are questioning 'what do we do from here'. It's about getting to the drawing board and looking at where this goes moving forward. Coaching is my passion. A lot of people aren't going to get to do what they love right now and that is tough. But, we want to make sure that everybody is safe and protected. That is our number one priority for our student-athletes and students at Fresno State."

On the likelihood of playing the last game of 2020…
"We want to play every game like it is the last time we are going to step on the field. That is something that we embody. It was a tough one today considering the circumstances."

Fresno State Director of Athletics Terry Tumey
"The health and safety of our student-athletes, staff and campus community are the number one priority during this unprecedented time. While we understand the uncertainty that many of our student-athletes, staff, and community members may be experiencing, Fresno State Athletics is committed to providing a safe environment that helps ensure the well-being of our campus community. We will continue to work alongside our campus leadership and public health officials to determine the best course of action as we move forward."

Fresno State Athletics' official statement regarding COVID-19

"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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