Season ends 6-5 in PKs in Boise

Thursday, November 4

Boise, Idaho

1 P.M. PT

Fresno State

9-6-4, 7-3-1

Boise State

11-6-4, 4-4-3

Boise St.

Fresno St.

Season ends 6-5 in PKs in Boise

11/4/2021 8:45:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

BOISE, Idaho – Penalty kicks. It's the cruelest of ways to finish a match but Fresno State and Boise State couldn't be separated through 110 minutes on Thursday afternoon at Boas Soccer Complex. Fresno State fell 6-5 in kicks, the final five coming after goalkeeper Ella Wilson had a near stop on the first attempt before a lengthy delay as she needed help leaving the field due to an injury.

The Bulldogs finish the year 9-6-4.

How It Happened
The Bulldogs were first to get on the scoreboard in the 17^th minute. Jordan Brown found space on the left side of the attacking third, slid the ball to the center to Sam Tristan. The freshman pushed the ball up to her fellow all-conference teammate, Kaelyn Miller, who took a turn toward her right from 12 yards out and struck a low right to left shot past a diving Sydney Smith.

The Broncos almost leveled in the 22^nd minute as a shot headed for the right netting was pushed away by a fully-extended Valentina Vivas. But six minutes later, Aubree Chatteron was able to get the equalizer for Boise State, sending a dipping shot from the right flank up and over the outstretched Vivas.

Momentum began to shift toward the Broncos in the early part of the second with several chances, most notably a header that drifted just wide of the mark in the 50^th minute. But a lull began midway through the second half. That changed in the final 20 minutes as teams were looking for a go-ahead.

In the 73^rd minute, a change for the 'Dogs came off the wing play of Jaylyn Wright, taking advantage of a Bronco slip on the wet grass, before sending a ball into Brooklin Woolf but Smith was there for the save. Then in the 80^th it was Chais Wright getting goal side on her marker at the near post on a free kick from Shantay Tamez but the left back was unable to keep the redirection low and on frame.

With neither side finding a go-ahead goal in regulation, or a golden goal in extra time, the match headed to penalty kicks.

Fresno State converted its first attempt through Katie Dohnel. Boise State matched on their first attempt but Wilson, who had chosen correctly on each PK she has faced this season, was forced out of the shootout due to an injury. From there, each team traded made attempts through five rounds. The first save came from Smith on Miller. Boise State's Michaela Justiniani ended the match, going to the left past a diving Vivas.

Scoring Summary
16:33 – FS – Kaelyn Miller (Sam Tristan, Jordan Brown)
27:20 – BSU – Aubree Chatterton

Notes

Fresno State is 0-2-1 all-time in Mountain West semifinal matches.
In their two times as a No. 2 seed, the Bulldogs have been knocked out by Boise State, once in double overtime, once in PKs.
Fresno State has been in three shootouts at the Mountain West Championship since 2017 (2017, 2019, 2021).
Thursday's match was the first time this season that the Bulldogs did not win when scoring first. They were previously 8-0-0.
Kaelyn Miller scored her eighth goal of the season, seventh against a Mountain West opponent and fifth in the Bulldogs' last six matches.

"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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