Skalstad scores six in narrow loss to Oregon

Sunday, April 11

Fresno, Calif.

11:00 a.m. PT

Fresno State

1-9, 0-0

Oregon

3-8,2-4

Oregon

Fresno State

Photo by: Samuel Marshall

Skalstad scores six in narrow loss to Oregon

4/11/2021 3:30:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

By: Savannah Stoeckle / Strategic Communications Assistant

FRESNO, Calif. - In a game that came down to the last 90 seconds and final possession, the Fresno State lacrosse team fought hard in a tough matchup but ultimately fell to Oregon 13-12 at the Soccer & Lacrosse Stadium on Sunday afternoon. With the game being tied on four occasions and no team leading by more than two goals at any point in the game, the Bulldogs put forth valiant effort until the final buzzer.

Junior attacker Sydney Skalstad led the game with scoring six goals on nine shots. Skalstad netted her most goals in a game since setting the program record with eight goals against Stetson last season (Feb. 22, 2020). The Pasadena, Md. native scored a career-high four free-position goals, on five attempts. Skalstad scored four of Fresno State's seven free position goals in the game. The Bulldogs had their second-most free-position goals in a game in program history and third-most attempts (14).

The senior duo of Hannah Krats and Megan Walaitis put up two goals each for Fresno State while freshmen Logann Eldredge and Hannah Etheridge netted one apiece. Senior Lauren Kiszely had three assists, and Etheridge added one.

Defensively, senior goalkeeper Courtney Walburger recorded 14 saves. Freshman defender Devon Ortman recorded two caused turnovers for the Bulldogs. The Bulldog defense forced two Oregon shot clock violations, the most in a game for the defense this season.

Fresno State won the draw control battle (17-11) for the first time since facing Robert Morris on Feb. 23. Krats led the way with a career-high nine draw controls. Her nine draw controls is the second most in a game in program history.

How it Happened
Oregon got out to a 2-0 lead before the Bulldogs settled in and took advantage of Skalstad's first of six goals on the day at the 24:36 mark of the first half. The teams traded possessions before Oregon's Hannah Hilcoff would score her first of the day with 21:51 remaining in the half. Krats scored just under two minutes after to cut the Oregon lead to 3-2. Eldredge tied the game for the first time with a goal at the 17:03 mark in the opening period.

The teams traded goals, making the game an even 5-5 at the 8:12 mark of the half after a Krats free-position goal before Oregon would score two to give itself a buffer with 7:09 remaining. What was left of the first half was a defensive battle as neither team could find the back of the net for the next six minutes of play. Etheridge scored with 57 seconds remaining in the opening half to bring Fresno State back within one at the break, 7-6.

Five of Fresno State's six first-half goals were scored on a free position attempt.

The second half was evenly matched in the scoring. Neither team would score for nearly seven minutes into the second half. Oregon's Nakeeya McCardell netted her first goal of the game at the 23:28 mark to jumpstart the scoring in that period. Walaitis scored her first of the game off the assist from Kiszely just one minute later, making it 8-7 in favor of Oregon. The Ducks would score one, but Fresno State answered with back-to-back goals from Skalstad and Walaitis to tie the game at nine apiece with 17:01 left in regulation.

Oregon scored three-straight from three different scorers in a three minute span to retake the lead, 12-9, but that didn't stop the Fresno State offense from continuing to fire at the net. Skalstad scored two goals in three minutes to put Fresno State back within one, 12-11, with 4:31 left in the game. Oregon got a slight leg up with a made free-position goal at the 2:57 mark, but it was Skalstad again with the response as she scored her fourth free-position goal with 1:37 left on the clock.

The Ducks controlled the final draw of the game, and held on to the offensive possession as time expired.

Notable

Fresno State scored its most goals since scoring 12 against Cal on Mar. 5.
Sydney Skalstad is now fourth in career goals in Fresno State history. The junior has scored 87 in her career.
Skalstad also moves to second all-time with 16 career hat tricks.
Hannah Krats controlled a career-high nine draw controls, ties for second-most in a game in program history.
Abbigayle Roberts scooped two ground balls on Sunday. She is now five away from breaking the single season program record (32).
Kiszely's three assists on Sunday give her 17 on the season to tie her single season best. Kiszely is just five assists away from matching the single season program record (22).

Up Next
Fresno State will shift its focus to Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play. The 'Dogs open conference play at San Diego State (4-7, 0-1 MPSF) on Saturday, April 17. The Bulldogs will return home for Senior Day on April 24 against UC Davis.

"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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