Fresno State Athletics
Wednesday, May 12
Los Angeles, Calif.
1 P.M. PT
Fresno State
15
vs
7
Cal Lutheran
Photo by: FRESNO STATE BRAND STRATEGY AND MARKETING - PHOTO BY CARY EDMONDSON
No. 10 Fresno State advances to NCAA quarterfinals
5/12/2021 5:43:00 PM | Water Polo
LOS ANGELES – The No. 10 Fresno State water polo team defeated Cal Lutheran 15-7 in the opening round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs (13-5, 6-1 GCC) earned the first NCAA Tournament win in program history and will advance to the quarterfinals, slated to face No. 2 Stanford on Friday, May 14 at 4 p.m. PT in the Spieker Aquatics Center.
"Proud of the team for another first in program history- an NCAA tournament victory," head coach Natalie Benson. "While not our best performance, it was enough to get it done after a fairly long break between our conference tournament and the opening round game. Glad the team was able to shake off a little rust, and be best prepared for the quarterfinal on Friday."
Emily Nicholson led the Bulldogs on offense with four goals, three steals and three drawn exclusions. Hope Stokes and Mackenzie Matheny split time in goal, the duo accounted for two steals and one save.
Additional goal scorers for the Bulldogs included Emily Diacono (2), Cynthia Rosa (2), Callie Woodruff (1), Isabella Sonkoly (1), Sydney Coachman (1), Tori Gacutan (1), Kaitlin Howarth (1), Claire Schade (1) and Yesenia Preciado (1).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Coachman opened scoring for the Bulldogs, and the Regals countered to tie the game 1-1. Fresno State would go on a 3-0 run to finish the first eight minutes with a 4-1 lead.
Fresno State struck first in the second quarter with a goal from Howarth. The Regals responded with three consecutive goals extending into the third quarter to cut the Bulldogs' lead to one goal with 7:05 left in the third. Nicholson found the back of the net to end their offensive run with her second goal of the game. The Bulldogs and the Regals exchanged a goal apiece, until Gacutan and Rosa combined to post back-to-back goals to give Fresno State a 9-5 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Nicholson chalked a hat trick, sending the ball to the back of the net to start the final eight minutes of the contest. Cal Lutheran retaliated with a goal of its own. Fresno State put the game away with three consecutive goals to gain a 13-6 lead with 2:49 left in regulation. The Regals netted one final goal in the game, but the Bulldogs responded with two goals to walk away with a 15-7 victory and a ticket to the quarterfinals.
"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
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"Proud of the team for another first in program history- an NCAA tournament victory," head coach Natalie Benson. "While not our best performance, it was enough to get it done after a fairly long break between our conference tournament and the opening round game. Glad the team was able to shake off a little rust, and be best prepared for the quarterfinal on Friday."
Emily Nicholson led the Bulldogs on offense with four goals, three steals and three drawn exclusions. Hope Stokes and Mackenzie Matheny split time in goal, the duo accounted for two steals and one save.
Additional goal scorers for the Bulldogs included Emily Diacono (2), Cynthia Rosa (2), Callie Woodruff (1), Isabella Sonkoly (1), Sydney Coachman (1), Tori Gacutan (1), Kaitlin Howarth (1), Claire Schade (1) and Yesenia Preciado (1).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Coachman opened scoring for the Bulldogs, and the Regals countered to tie the game 1-1. Fresno State would go on a 3-0 run to finish the first eight minutes with a 4-1 lead.
Fresno State struck first in the second quarter with a goal from Howarth. The Regals responded with three consecutive goals extending into the third quarter to cut the Bulldogs' lead to one goal with 7:05 left in the third. Nicholson found the back of the net to end their offensive run with her second goal of the game. The Bulldogs and the Regals exchanged a goal apiece, until Gacutan and Rosa combined to post back-to-back goals to give Fresno State a 9-5 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Nicholson chalked a hat trick, sending the ball to the back of the net to start the final eight minutes of the contest. Cal Lutheran retaliated with a goal of its own. Fresno State put the game away with three consecutive goals to gain a 13-6 lead with 2:49 left in regulation. The Regals netted one final goal in the game, but the Bulldogs responded with two goals to walk away with a 15-7 victory and a ticket to the quarterfinals.
"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
Â
Players Mentioned
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