Bulldogs host Cal in home opener

Fresno State (1-3) vs Cal (0-2)
Friday, Mar. 5 • 5:00 p.m. PT • Fresno, Calif.
LIVE: Stats • Live updates on Twitter • Watch: MW Network
Series History: Cal leads, 7-4

QUICK LOOK - Fresno State is 1-3 this season after playing its first four games of the season on the road. The Bulldogs will open their home slate on Friday, and have back-to-back home games before returning to the road.

LAST TIME OUT - The Bulldogs lost 22-6 at Arizona State (Feb. 27). The Sun Devils scored eight unanswered goals to start the game, and that would have been too much for the Bulldogs to overcome in Tempe.

ROOKIES IN THE MPSF - In the last two weeks, Fresno State has had two freshmen named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Rookie of the Week. Logann Eldredge earned the honor on Feb. 22 and Devon Ortman was tabbed the rookie of the week on Mar. 1. Both young Bulldogs have made an impact on both sides of the ball for the 'Dogs as Eldredge helps lead the offense and Ortman is a defensive anchor.

WINNING THE DRAW - Fresno State has made itself comfortable in the draw control, having won 68 this season. The Bulldogs are averaging 17 draw controls per game and rank No. 8 in the NCAA in the category. Fresno State's 68 draw controls are the second-most in the country this season.

The 'Dogs are led by junior Sydney Skalstad who has won 25 draws this season. Skalstad ranks No. 6 in the NCAA in total draws. Skalstad set a new single-game program record with 12 draw controls at Kent State. Ortman is second on the team with 14 draw controls.

SHARING THE WEALTH - The Bulldog offense is spread throughout, having nine goal scorers this season and eight with at least one assist. Senior Megan Walaitis leads the team with 13 points (nine goals and four assists) on the season. Walaitis in No. 33 in the NCAA in points. A trio of 'Dogs in Skalstad, Eldredge and Hennessey Evans have 12 points each. Evans has scored 10 goals and added two assists, while Eldredge scored eight goals and four assists.

GROUND BALL MAGNETS - Fresno State is No .13 in the NCAA and leads the MPSF in ground balls per game, averaging 21.75 per contest. Sixteen Bulldogs have recorded at least one ground ball this season. As a team, the Bulldogs' biggest ground ball performance was at Robert Morris as they scooped 35 in the game. The 35 ground balls were the second-most in a game in program history.

Abbigayle Roberts and Ortman lead the team with 12 ground balls a piece. Roberts has broken into the top 10 in program history with 60 career ground balls.

ASSIST QUEEN - Lauren Kiszely leads the Bulldogs in the assist category with eight this season. Kiszely ranks No. 7 in the NCAA in assists and No. 23 in assists per game through four contests this season.

FIERY OFFENSE - The Bulldogs rank No. 12 in the NCAA in shots per game, averaging 34. Fresno State's 137 shots taken this season are the third-most by any team in the country, behind only North Carolina and Duke who have played in one more game than the 'Dogs this season. The Bulldogs have a .372 shooting percentage on the year.

COURTNEY IN THE CAGE - Senior goalkeeper Courtney Walburger has started all four games for the Bulldogs. After four-year starter Laurel Maunder left to graduation, Walburger has stepped up as the starting keeper in 2021. Walburger has 38 saves this season. She recorded a career-high 12 saves at Robert Morris on Feb. 23. The senior Bulldog ranks No. 11 in the NCAA in saves this season.

ENDURANCE FOR DAYS - Fresno State is sporting a minimal roster this season due to a number of reasons. The Bulldog lacrosse team is made up of just 18 student-athletes. Outside of the starting 12, there are not many available for substitutions in a game, but that has not stopped the 'Dogs from competing for a full 60 minutes.

SECOND HALF SPURT - The Bulldogs have never given up in a game. The fight in the 'Dogs during the second half of play is obvious on the stat sheet. This season, Fresno State has scored more goals, taken more shots and registered more shots on goal in the second half than in the first. The Bulldogs have scored 31 second-half goals to their 20 in the first half of games this season.

SCOUTING CAL - Cal is 0-2 this season after a pair of losses to two MPSF opponents in UC Davis and San Diego State. Cal has been outscored 26-19 in its two games this season, and is led by Megan Mix with five goals. Despite the difference in goals scored, Cal has outshot its opponents 63-57, registering 45 shots on goal for a .714 shots on goal percentage. Defensively, the Golden Bears have seen time from two goalkeepers in Lily Rathbun and Riley Drullinger. Drullinger has had the start in both games and leads the duo with 15 saves.

Cal was 2-5 in the shortened 2020 season.

"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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Bulldogs host Cal in home opener

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Players Mentioned

Logann Eldredge

Hennessey Evans

Lauren Kiszely

Laurel Maunder

Devon Ortman

Abbigayle Roberts

Sydney Skalstad

Megan Walaitis

Courtney Walburger

Fresno State Athletics