'Dogs and Wolf Pack play to scoreless draw

Sunday, March 21

Reno, NV

1:30 P.M. PT

Fresno State

Nevada

Photo by: Samuel Marshall

'Dogs and Wolf Pack play to scoreless draw

3/21/2021 9:23:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

RENO, Nev. – Playing to a scoreless draw against Nevada on Sunday, Fresno State secured its first draw of the season at Mackay Stadium. Despite being the aggressor throughout, holding a 15-shot advantage, the Bulldogs gutted through the final 29 minutes short-handed to secure a point on the road.

The Bulldogs are now 3-1-1 overall as they hit the midway point on the season. They are currently tied for second in the West Division standings with Boise State at 10 points, two back of San Diego State.

How It Happened
Fresno State began the game aggressively to set a precedent for the rest of the match. The Bulldogs fired off three shots in the first seven minutes while not allowing one from Nevada.

Fresno State continued to stay aggressive and produce shots, forcing a trio of saves out of Kendal Stovall during the first 31 minutes. But late in the half the Bulldogs nearly found the breakthrough multiple times. In the 43rd minute, a long throw-in dropped to Kassandra Ceja but the freshman's shot to the near post was blocked at the line by a Wolf Pack defender. Unable to fully clear the ball, Fresno State sent it back into the box where Robyn McCarthy had a shot from five-yards out clip the legs of a Nevada defender in pursuit. Then in the final seconds of the half, Ele Avery appeared to score the breakthrough on a set piece from 30 yards out that was headed on to her, but the goal was waved off due to an offside call.

McCarthy had another chance in the 53rd minute to break the deadlock as she got onto the end of a ball sent into the box but the senior's header was sent into the ground and caromed off the crossbar as it came up. While the Bulldogs continued to stay aggressive on the offensive end, and held Nevada without a shot in the second half, they were forced to play a bit more cautiously after Emma Chivers was sent off with a red card in the 72nd minute.

With five seconds remaining in regulation and the Bulldogs pushing, Ceja was taken down and awarded a free kick from 27 yards out. The freshman stepped up and ripped a low shot around the wall that forced Stovall to make a diving stop as the ball was directed just inside the left post.

With neither team finding a goal in regulation, overtime ensued, but through two periods Fresno State could only muster two attempts before the game ended in a draw.

Notes

With the draw, the Bulldogs are now 3-1-1 and tied for second in the division with Boise State with 10 points.
Fresno State outshot the Wolfpack 17-2 in total throughout the match, and held a 6-1 advantage in shots on goal.
The Bulldogs have been held scoreless in their last two games after scoring eight in their first three matches.
Robyn McCarthy matched her single-game career-high shot total with five which she also did last year against the Wolf Pack.
Kassandra Ceja and Lorena Montanes registered a game-high two shots on goal.

Up Next
Fresno State is on the road next weekend, with the first match against San Diego State on March 26 at 7 p.m. PT. The 'Dogs close the weekend at UNLV on March 28 at 1 p.m. PT.

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