Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, April 24
Stockton, Calif.
12 P.M. PT
Fresno State
14
vs
10
San Diego State University
Bulldogs win first GCC Tournament Title
4/24/2021 8:26:00 PM | Water Polo
STOCKTON, Calif. – The top-seeded and 11th-ranked Fresno State water polo team won the first Golden Coast Conference Tournament Championship in program history with a 14-10 victory over the second-seeded and 13th-ranked San Diego State. The Bulldogs (12-5, 6-1 GCC), in just their fourth year of competition, secure the GCC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"I'm so proud of how this team believed in themselves and each other and performed in a championship situation," head coach Natalie Benson said. "Their team work and execution under pressure was so fun to witness. We made history today in many ways, and I'm excited for another first in our short existence as a program."Â
Claire Schade led the Bulldogs with five points in the game, scoring a hat trick with two assists. The senior finished the tournament leading the field with eight assists and 12 points to earn Tournament MVP honors. Emily Nicholson led all-scorers in the contest with four goals. Callie Woodruff had a goal, an assist and a steal in the title game. Nicholson and Woodruff joined Schade on the GCC All-Tournament Team.
Additional goal scorers included Cynthia Rosa (2), Sienna Jagielski (2), Daphne Guevremont (1), Sydney Coachman (1) and Emily Diacono (1).
In goal, Hope Stokes played the entire match. The junior recorded season-high 12 saves.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bulldogs and the Aztecs exchanged goals to start the contest, making it a 2-2 game at the end of the first quarter.
Fresno State took over in the second quarter, scoring four consecutive goals to take a 6-2 lead with 50 seconds left. SDSU halted the scoring frenzy, netting one before time expired, but the Bulldogs would take a 6-3 lead into halftime.
All-GCC Freshman selection Rosa found the back of the net to open scoring in the third quarter. Fresno State followed with three consecutive goals, by three different Bulldogs, extending its lead 10-3 at the five-minute mark. SDSU strung together two consecutive goals for the first time in the contest, but Jagielski countered with a goal for Fresno State to take an 11-5 advantage into the final eight minutes.
The Bulldogs and the Aztecs exchanged three goals apiece to start the quarter, the game stood 14-8 with 3:37 left in regulation. SDSU netted the final two goals of the game, but it would be Fresno State who would be crowned the 2021 GCC Tournament Champions with a 14-10 victory.
The NCAA tournament selection will take place on May 3 and Fresno State will learn their spot in the bracket.Â
"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 call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â FresnoStateWP
Instagram:Â FresnoStateWP
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Â
"I'm so proud of how this team believed in themselves and each other and performed in a championship situation," head coach Natalie Benson said. "Their team work and execution under pressure was so fun to witness. We made history today in many ways, and I'm excited for another first in our short existence as a program."Â
Claire Schade led the Bulldogs with five points in the game, scoring a hat trick with two assists. The senior finished the tournament leading the field with eight assists and 12 points to earn Tournament MVP honors. Emily Nicholson led all-scorers in the contest with four goals. Callie Woodruff had a goal, an assist and a steal in the title game. Nicholson and Woodruff joined Schade on the GCC All-Tournament Team.
Additional goal scorers included Cynthia Rosa (2), Sienna Jagielski (2), Daphne Guevremont (1), Sydney Coachman (1) and Emily Diacono (1).
In goal, Hope Stokes played the entire match. The junior recorded season-high 12 saves.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bulldogs and the Aztecs exchanged goals to start the contest, making it a 2-2 game at the end of the first quarter.
Fresno State took over in the second quarter, scoring four consecutive goals to take a 6-2 lead with 50 seconds left. SDSU halted the scoring frenzy, netting one before time expired, but the Bulldogs would take a 6-3 lead into halftime.
All-GCC Freshman selection Rosa found the back of the net to open scoring in the third quarter. Fresno State followed with three consecutive goals, by three different Bulldogs, extending its lead 10-3 at the five-minute mark. SDSU strung together two consecutive goals for the first time in the contest, but Jagielski countered with a goal for Fresno State to take an 11-5 advantage into the final eight minutes.
The Bulldogs and the Aztecs exchanged three goals apiece to start the quarter, the game stood 14-8 with 3:37 left in regulation. SDSU netted the final two goals of the game, but it would be Fresno State who would be crowned the 2021 GCC Tournament Champions with a 14-10 victory.
The NCAA tournament selection will take place on May 3 and Fresno State will learn their spot in the bracket.Â
"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 call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â FresnoStateWP
Instagram:Â FresnoStateWP
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Â
Players Mentioned
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