Four 'Dogs score hat tricks in 20-11 win at Kent State

Friday, February 19

Kent, OH

12:00 PM PT

Fresno State

1-1

Kent State

0-1

Fresno State

Kent State

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Four 'Dogs score hat tricks in 20-11 win at Kent State

2/19/2021 3:40:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

By: Savannah Stoeckle / Strategic Communications Assistant

KENT, Ohio - The Fresno State lacrosse team earned its first win of the 2021 season in cold and snowy conditions at Kent State on Friday afternoon. The Bulldogs won 20-11 behind hat tricks from four different 'Dogs. Fresno State was clicking on all cylinders as seven Bulldogs had goals, and four dished out assists.

The Bulldogs tied the program record for most hat tricks in a game with Sydney Skalstad leading the way with five goals, and Logann Eldredge, Hennessey Evans and Megan Walaitis adding four each. Lauren Kiszely, Hannah Krats and Kristen Zenor contributed a goal apiece.

Sydney Skalstad set a new program record with 12 draw controls in the win. The junior held the previous record of nine that she set as a freshman.

Senior goalkeeper Courtney Walburger had a career-high 10 saves in her second complete game of the season.

"I could not be more proud of how our Bulldogs played today," said head coach Kara Concheck. "We had three priorities of the game, and we executed very well. Controlling the possession, dominating the 50/50 balls, and finishing. We exhibited great composure while staying tough through adversity. We are doing double the work with our small roster, but what gives us an edge is our competitive fighting spirit."

How it Happened
With neither team having scored in the first five minutes, Sydney Skalstad opened up scoring with a goal on the assist from Krats at the 24:37 mark. Evans gave the 'Dogs a 2-0 lead with her first made free-position goal of the game at 22:25.

Kent State evened the game at two with 16:45 left in the first half, but the 'Dogs scored three-straight and never looked back. The Bulldogs' three goals were sparked by a score from Krats as she grabbed the draw control and took it to the attack all on her own. Four minutes after Krats' goal, and a goal from Eldredge, Kiszely found Walaitis for the score on a man-down opportunity.

At the half, Fresno State led 9-4. Sydney Skalstad had scored a hat trick in just the first half.

Fresno State scored seven-straight goals to open up the second half. Walaitis had her hat trick in that span, scoring three goals on one free position and two on the assist from Eldredge.

Kent State began to battle back, scoring seven goals in the final 16 minutes of the second half. The Bulldog attack balanced out the efforts that the Flashes were making. Sydney Skalstad, Eldredge and Evans rounded out the scoring for the Bulldogs in the final minutes.

Notables

Fresno State tied single game program records for most hat tricks (4), most shots (43), and most draw controls (21).
The Bulldogs tied for the fourth-most goals (20) in a game, fifth-most assists (9) in a game, sixth-most free position attempts (11) in a game, and sixth-most shots on goal (29) in a game in program history.
Sydney Skalstad set the program record for most draw controls in a game (12). She also had the fourth-most goals (5) in a game in program history. Skalstad holds the record for most goals in a game after scoring eight against Stetson last season.
Megan Walaitis tied for the fourth-most points (6) and shots (9) in a game in program history.
Freshman Logann Eldredge tied for the third-most points (7) and fourth-most assists (3) in a game in program history.
Lauren Kiszely tied for the fourth-most assists in a game in program history (3). Kiszely holds the record with six.
Hennessey Evans had a career-high four goals, seven shots, and tied her career-high with six shots on goal.

Up Next
The Bulldogs (1-1) stay on the road and compete at Robert Morris (Moon Township, PA) on Tuesday, Feb. 23. The game is scheduled for a 9 a.m. PT opening draw. RMU opens its season on Sunday Feb. 21 against Liberty.

"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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