Fresno State Athletics
Sunday, March 14
Fresno, CA
11:00 a.m. PT
Fresno State
3-0-0
2
vs
1
San Diego State
3-1-0
1
2
F
San Diego State
0
1
1
Fresno State
0
2
2
Photo by: Samuel Marshall
'Dogs remain undefeated with comeback win over Aztecs
3/14/2021 5:41:00 PM | Women's Soccer
FRESNO, Calif. – Scoring twice in the final 13 minutes, Fresno State rallied from a goal down against undefeated San Diego State on Sunday afternoon to move atop the division with a 2-1 victory. Robyn McCarthy leveled the game for the Bulldogs in the 78th minute while Lorena Montanes registered the go-ahead strike in the 80th.
Fresno State moved to 3-0 on the year, the first time the program has won its first three matches to start a season, and to begin a conference season, since 2006.
How It Happened
The first half was a feeling out process with the Aztecs looking to find space for their front line. The Bulldogs' defense was ready, getting San Diego State flagged for being in an offside position seven times. Neither side could break the deadlock through the opening 45 minutes.
Fresno State made a change in goal at halftime, bringing in redshirt freshman Briana O'Dell. The keeper was immediately put under heavy pressure from San Diego State's attack, forced to make a pair of stops in the opening minutes. The Aztecs got the breakthrough in the 52nd minute as Rachelle Elve had space at the top of the box slipped the ball toward the right to Veronica Avalos where she tapped it into the path of Chloe Frisch who struck it to the far post past O'Dell.
Six minutes later, the Bulldog keeper kept the deficit at one with a sliding stop to the right on a shot from the top of the six-yard box.
During the ensuing 10 minutes, Fresno State began to find its footing in the offensive third. After having five shots find an Aztec defender, the 'Dogs found the equalizer in the 78th minute. An attempted pass toward the box was knocked back out Robyn McCarthy. The senior then let loose an apparent cross toward the far post but the ball floated over Aztec keeper Alexa Madueno and found the far netting.
Just under two minutes later, Ele Avery sent a low cross into the box that found the foot of Kassandra Ceja. The freshman knocked it over Lorena Montanes who drilled a shot inside the left post from nine yards out to put the 'Dogs up 2-1.
Fresno State had to withstand one attempt to equalize as Elve got space inside the box and ripped a low shot toward the right side of the goal but O'Dell was there to make her fourth stop of the half, and corralled the ball before an onrushing Aztec could pounce on a rebound.
Notes
SD – 51:51 – Chloe Frisch (Veronica Alavos, Rachelle Elve)
FS – 77:45 – Robyn McCarthy
FS – 79:35 – Lorena Montanes (Kassandra Ceja, Ele Avery)
Quotes
Fresno State head coach Brian Zwaschka
On the current feeling of the team…
"Everybody is obviously very happy with finally coming together for a team win. We're thrilled."
On adjustments from the first to second half…
"It was really a case of both teams had some chances, they probably had the better chances but I thought we were quite solid defensively and I thought we were just rushing ourselves in the final third. Those were some of the things that we spoke about at the end there and I was really happy to see it come to fruition. Maybe the first goal was a little bit lucky but it was some good pressing that got us into that position. Then the second goal I thought was just fantastic."
Up Next
Fresno State will travel to Boise State next weekend to face the Broncos on Friday at 2 p.m. PT. The match will stream live on the Mountain West Network.
"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
Fresno State moved to 3-0 on the year, the first time the program has won its first three matches to start a season, and to begin a conference season, since 2006.
How It Happened
The first half was a feeling out process with the Aztecs looking to find space for their front line. The Bulldogs' defense was ready, getting San Diego State flagged for being in an offside position seven times. Neither side could break the deadlock through the opening 45 minutes.
Fresno State made a change in goal at halftime, bringing in redshirt freshman Briana O'Dell. The keeper was immediately put under heavy pressure from San Diego State's attack, forced to make a pair of stops in the opening minutes. The Aztecs got the breakthrough in the 52nd minute as Rachelle Elve had space at the top of the box slipped the ball toward the right to Veronica Avalos where she tapped it into the path of Chloe Frisch who struck it to the far post past O'Dell.
Six minutes later, the Bulldog keeper kept the deficit at one with a sliding stop to the right on a shot from the top of the six-yard box.
During the ensuing 10 minutes, Fresno State began to find its footing in the offensive third. After having five shots find an Aztec defender, the 'Dogs found the equalizer in the 78th minute. An attempted pass toward the box was knocked back out Robyn McCarthy. The senior then let loose an apparent cross toward the far post but the ball floated over Aztec keeper Alexa Madueno and found the far netting.
Just under two minutes later, Ele Avery sent a low cross into the box that found the foot of Kassandra Ceja. The freshman knocked it over Lorena Montanes who drilled a shot inside the left post from nine yards out to put the 'Dogs up 2-1.
Fresno State had to withstand one attempt to equalize as Elve got space inside the box and ripped a low shot toward the right side of the goal but O'Dell was there to make her fourth stop of the half, and corralled the ball before an onrushing Aztec could pounce on a rebound.
Notes
- With Sunday's win, Fresno State moved to 3-0 to start the season. It is the Bulldogs' first 3-0 start to a season since 2006.
- The 'Dogs also won their first three league games for the first time since 2006 when Fresno State was a member of the Western Athletic Conference.
- Fresno State has recorded eight goals in its first three games, its most to start a season since scoring 10 in 1997. The 'Dogs have not scored at least eight goals in its first three conference games since scoring 10 in 2000.
- For the third straight game, Fresno State has seen at least two different players record their first goal of the season. Of the Bulldogs' eight goals this season, seven different players have found the back of the net.
- The Bulldogs earned their first win this season when trailing during the game.
- Robyn McCarthy and Lorena Montanes each recorded their first goals of the season.
- Kassandra Ceja registered her second assist on the year, while Ele Avery recorded her first.
- Briana O'Dell produced a season-high four saves in her 45 minutes on the pitch.
SD – 51:51 – Chloe Frisch (Veronica Alavos, Rachelle Elve)
FS – 77:45 – Robyn McCarthy
FS – 79:35 – Lorena Montanes (Kassandra Ceja, Ele Avery)
Quotes
Fresno State head coach Brian Zwaschka
On the current feeling of the team…
"Everybody is obviously very happy with finally coming together for a team win. We're thrilled."
On adjustments from the first to second half…
"It was really a case of both teams had some chances, they probably had the better chances but I thought we were quite solid defensively and I thought we were just rushing ourselves in the final third. Those were some of the things that we spoke about at the end there and I was really happy to see it come to fruition. Maybe the first goal was a little bit lucky but it was some good pressing that got us into that position. Then the second goal I thought was just fantastic."
Up Next
Fresno State will travel to Boise State next weekend to face the Broncos on Friday at 2 p.m. PT. The match will stream live on the Mountain West Network.
"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
SD
FS
Goals
1
2
Shots
15
15
Shots on Goal
6
6
Saves
4
5
Corners
3
7
Fouls
6
8
Scoring Plays
Frisch, Chloe (3)
Assisted By: Avalos, Veronica , Elve, Rachelle
through ball to right side from outside
51:51
MCCARTHY, Robyn (1)
shot from 25 yards out on right side of
77:45
MONTANES, Lorena (1)
Assisted By: CEJA, Kassandra , AVERY, Ele
cross from right, passed to left side of
79:35
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's Soccer
GK
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