Bulldogs open MPSF play at San Diego State

Fresno State (1-9, 0-0 MPSF) at San Diego State (4-7, 0-1 MPSF)
Saturday, April 17 • 12:00 p.m. PT • San Diego, Calif.
LIVE: Stats • WATCH: YouTube • Live updates on Twitter
Series History: San Diego State leads, 9-1.

QUICK LOOK - Fresno State opens Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play at San Diego State on Saturday. The Aztecs lead the all-time series, 9-1. Fresno State's only win against SDSU came in a 17-12 defeat in 2017.

LAST TIME OUT - The Fresno State lacrosse team last fell 13-12 to Oregon on April 11. Fresno State battled throughout the game, but it was Oregon who was able to win the final draw and maintain possession for the final 90 seconds.

FIRING SKALSTAD - Junior attacker Sydney Skalstad got back on her usual tracks last time out as she scored a season-high six goals against the Ducks. Skalstad earned her second career MPSF Offensive Player of the Week honor on April 12. This season, Skalstad has a team-high 26 goals. She also leads the team in points with 29. The junior attacker is shooting at a .382 percent clip this season, but has pulled out a team-high .735 shot on goal percentage.

FREE-POSITION ATTACK - Fresno State has a .442 free-position percentage, and ranks within the top 50 in the NCAA in the category. Skalstad leads the team with 13 made free-position goals this season. Last time out, Skalstad netted four of her five free-position attempts for a career-best.

GIMME ALL THE ASSISTS - Senior attacker Lauren Kiszely leads the team and is second in the conference with 17 assists this season. Her 17 assists already breaks into the program's all-time single season high numbers, as she ties her own career-high for a single season that came in just eight games throughout the shortened 2020 season. Kiszely racked up 17 assists that season with a program record six in one game. Kiszely also has the top two single-game highs in the conference this season. With her three assists against Oregon, Kiszely is second all-time in career assists with 51 during her time at Fresno State. Tiffiny Wallace (2017-20) is the program's all-time leader with 66 assists.

GROUND BALL MAGNETS - Fresno State is No. 24 in the NCAA in ground balls per game, averaging 19.10 a game this season. Individually, Abbigayle Roberts leads the team with 28 of her own. Roberts leads the MPSF and ranks No. 26 in the NCAA, averaging 2.8 per game. The Bulldogs had a single game program record 35 ground balls at Robert Morris on Feb. 23.

ROBERTS IN THE RECORD BOOK - Ground balls are nothing new for the senior Roberts. She is sitting at 76 career ground balls, enough to place seventh in Fresno State history. She is just five ground balls away from breaking the program's single season record (32). The record is held by former goalkeeper Laurel Maunder who scooped 32 in 2019.

PUTS THE "WALL" IN WALBURGER - Senior goalkeeper Courtney Walburger is No. 3 in the NCAA in saves per game (11.70) and No. 5 in the NCAA in saves (117). Last time out, Walburger chalked 14 saves on 34 shots faced. The senior recorded a career-high 15 saves against then-No. 16 Stanford (Mar. 31). The senior keeper also has 21 ground balls this season, a number that ranks third on the team.

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.

SCOUTING SAN DIEGO STATE - San Diego State is 4-7 this season with a key 14-13 overtime win against USC on April 9. The Aztecs defeated the Trojans for the first time in program history in dramatic fashion. The three additional wins for SDSU were against Oregon and Cal. The Aztecs defeated Cal twice this season. The Aztecs fell 19-10 to UC Davis in their MPSF opener last weekend.

SDSU leads the conference in saves per game, averaging 11.73, They also lead in caused turnovers per game, averaging 6.55 per contest.

"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 open MPSF play at San Diego State

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Players Mentioned

Lauren Kiszely

Laurel Maunder

Abbigayle Roberts

Sydney Skalstad

Courtney Walburger

Tiffiny Wallace

Fresno State Athletics