Fresno State Athletics
Friday, March 12
Fresno, CA
1:00 P.M. PT
Fresno State
2-0-0
3
vs
2
UNLV
1-1-1
1
2
F
UNLV
1
1
2
Fresno State
2
1
3
Photo by: FRESNO STATE BRAND STRATEGY AND MARKETING - PHOTO BY CARY EDMONDSON
'Dogs outlast Rebels in home opener, 3-2
3/12/2021 8:14:00 PM | Women's Soccer
FRESNO, Calif. – Behind two first-time goal scorers, Fresno State picked up its second win in as many games, defeating UNLV 3-2 on Friday afternoon. Sophomore Bailee Kern (2) and freshman Kassandra Ceja (1) netted their first career goals.
The Bulldogs improved to 2-0 on the year ahead of Sunday's matchup with undefeated San Diego State.
How It Happened
UNLV came out the aggressor, putting the Bulldogs ender pressure early in the match. Fresno State though found the back of the net on its first opportunity. On Shantay Tamez's second corner of the game, the junior found Kern on the back post in the 17th minute. The sophomore powered a header past Emberly Sevilla to put the 'Dogs up 1-0.
The Rebels answered six minutes later when Alysa Caso slotted a through ball to Nailah Harping who outran the Bulldog back line and scored on the breakaway.
In the 27th minute, it was Tamez and Kern linking up again on a corner. Kern got loose from her defender as the cross dropped to her. The Bulldog defender knocked in her second shot of the game just inside the right post.
Fresno State doubled its lead just two minutes into the second half. Following a blocked free kick on the right flank, Robyn McCarthy lofted a second attempt into the box. Katie Dohnel flicked it on to the back post where Ceja pounced on the loose ball, taking a quick touch before striking it past an on-coming Sevilla.
As the match moved to under 10 minutes to play, the Rebels upped its pressure. In the 83rd minute, a corner from Harpring found the head of Marcella Brooks to draw UNLV within one at 3-2. The pressure continued as the Rebels looked for an equalizer. With 90 seconds on the clock, Samantha Bailey got space and a let a shot rip from 25 yards out that was heading inside the left post. Bulldog keeper Briana O'Dell laid out for the shot, getting her hands on it as the ball was tailing away from her.
Notes
FS – 16:04 – Bailee Kern (Shantay Tamez)
LV – 22:06 – Nailah Harpring (Alysa Caso)
FS – 26:47 – Bailee Kern (Shantay Tamez)
FS – 47:01 – Kassandra Ceja (Robyn McCarthy, Katie Dohnel)
LV – Marcella Brooks (Nailah Harpring)
Quotes
Fresno State head coach Brian Zwaschka
On the scoring six goals in two games…
"I'm pleased with the idea of not only scoring that many but also in the variety of scorers we've had so we can keep our opponents guessing."
On the start to the season…
"We didn't know what to expect going into last Saturday and UNLV had a two game-weekend so they had a little more experience than us but it was nice to be back home facing them. We're just thrilled to be off to a good start but we're still kind of discovering what we're capable of."
Up Next
Fresno State will finish its two-match homestand on Sunday against San Diego State. Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. PT.
"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 call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWSOC
Instagram: FresnoStateWSOC
The Bulldogs improved to 2-0 on the year ahead of Sunday's matchup with undefeated San Diego State.
How It Happened
UNLV came out the aggressor, putting the Bulldogs ender pressure early in the match. Fresno State though found the back of the net on its first opportunity. On Shantay Tamez's second corner of the game, the junior found Kern on the back post in the 17th minute. The sophomore powered a header past Emberly Sevilla to put the 'Dogs up 1-0.
The Rebels answered six minutes later when Alysa Caso slotted a through ball to Nailah Harping who outran the Bulldog back line and scored on the breakaway.
In the 27th minute, it was Tamez and Kern linking up again on a corner. Kern got loose from her defender as the cross dropped to her. The Bulldog defender knocked in her second shot of the game just inside the right post.
Fresno State doubled its lead just two minutes into the second half. Following a blocked free kick on the right flank, Robyn McCarthy lofted a second attempt into the box. Katie Dohnel flicked it on to the back post where Ceja pounced on the loose ball, taking a quick touch before striking it past an on-coming Sevilla.
As the match moved to under 10 minutes to play, the Rebels upped its pressure. In the 83rd minute, a corner from Harpring found the head of Marcella Brooks to draw UNLV within one at 3-2. The pressure continued as the Rebels looked for an equalizer. With 90 seconds on the clock, Samantha Bailey got space and a let a shot rip from 25 yards out that was heading inside the left post. Bulldog keeper Briana O'Dell laid out for the shot, getting her hands on it as the ball was tailing away from her.
Notes
- Fresno State moved to 2-0 with the win, its best start to a conference season since 2012.
- Attempting five shots in the game, the Bulldogs were 3-for-3 on shots on goal.
- Bailee Kern scored the first two goals of her career.
- Kassandra Ceja scored her first-career goal in her second career game.
- Shantay Tamez recorded her third and fourth assists of the season.
FS – 16:04 – Bailee Kern (Shantay Tamez)
LV – 22:06 – Nailah Harpring (Alysa Caso)
FS – 26:47 – Bailee Kern (Shantay Tamez)
FS – 47:01 – Kassandra Ceja (Robyn McCarthy, Katie Dohnel)
LV – Marcella Brooks (Nailah Harpring)
Quotes
Fresno State head coach Brian Zwaschka
On the scoring six goals in two games…
"I'm pleased with the idea of not only scoring that many but also in the variety of scorers we've had so we can keep our opponents guessing."
On the start to the season…
"We didn't know what to expect going into last Saturday and UNLV had a two game-weekend so they had a little more experience than us but it was nice to be back home facing them. We're just thrilled to be off to a good start but we're still kind of discovering what we're capable of."
Up Next
Fresno State will finish its two-match homestand on Sunday against San Diego State. Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. PT.
"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 call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWSOC
Instagram: FresnoStateWSOC
Team Stats
UNLV
FS
Goals
2
3
Shots
9
5
Shots on Goal
5
3
Saves
0
3
Corners
2
6
Fouls
7
7
Scoring Plays
KERN, Bailee (1)
Assisted By: TAMEZ, Shantay
header off corner
16:04
Harpring, Nailah
Assisted By: Caso, Alysa
fast break goal
22:06
KERN, Bailee (2)
Assisted By: TAMEZ, Shantay
off corner in box
26:47
CEJA, Kassandra (1)
Assisted By: MCCARTHY, Robyn , DOHNEL, Katie
scored in box
47:01
Brooks, Marcella
Assisted By: Harpring, Nailah
header off corner kick
82:11
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
2
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
MF/D
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerMF/F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerD
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