Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
USC
'Dogs fall at No. 20 USC
3/21/2021 3:10:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
LOS ANGELES - The Fresno State lacrosse team fell 20-7 to its first ranked opponent of the season in No. 20 USC on Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs move to 1-6 on the year
Senior goalkeeper Courtney Walburger matched her career-best mark with 14 saves in goal for the Bulldogs. In the first half alone, Walburger recorded 11 saves against USC's 31 shots.
Freshman attacker Logann Eldredge led the Bulldogs in scoring with a hat trick, the fourth of her career. Hennessey Evans and Megan Walaitis scored two goals each to round out the scoring for the 'Dogs. Hannah Krats was credited with two assists for the Bulldog offense.Â
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How it Happened
No. 20 USC got out to an early advantage in the first half, outshooting the Bulldogs 31-10 in the opening period. The Women of Troy also saw an advantage on the offensive in the draw controls throughout the first half, earning 15 draws as the 'Dogs grabbed only two in the period.Â
The first 10 minutes of play was evenly matched. USC scored its first goal at 27:17 on a free-position. The Bulldogs responded with Eldredge's first goal of the day with 18:13 remaining in the half. USC responded with three-straight to extend its lead to 4-1. Fresno State scored two more goals in a five minute span, but USC ran away in scoring, finishing out the half with nine unanswered goals. The Bulldogs trailed 14-3 at the half.
The second half was a battle of the defensive efforts as the stats remained fairly even with a running clock in the period. The teams took nine shots apiece in the second half and scoring was held to just 10 total goals in the period.Â
Walaitis struck first in the second half, scoring one on a free-position shot with 27:13 remaining. The Bulldogs scored four goals in the second half, but for every one Bulldog goal scored, the Women of Troy responded with two back-to-back and Fresno State could not find the opportunity to cut down on the USC lead.Â
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Up Next - The Bulldogs are set to face Cal for the second time this season. Fresno State travels to Berkeley, Calif. on Sunday, Mar. 28 for a noon opening draw. Cal is 1-5 this season, with its only win being against Fresno State. The Golden Bears have two games left to play before next Sunday's game with the Bulldogs.
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