Fresno State Athletics
Wednesday, August 11
San Luis Obispo, CA
6 P.M. PT
Fresno State
1
at
2
Cal Poly (EX)
Photo by: FRESNO STATE BRAND STRATEGY AND MARKETING - PHOTO BY CARY EDMONDSON
'Dogs come up short in 2-1 defeat in exhibition at Cal Poly
8/11/2021 10:32:00 PM | Women's Soccer
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – In Fresno State's first live action of the fall against an opponent other than themselves, the Bulldogs dropped a hard-fought 2-1 result on the road in an exhibition against Cal Poly at Alex G. Spanos Stadium.
Following a slow start to the match, the 'Dogs controlled long stretches of play. Fresno State upped its pressure and maintained more possession in the second half to the tune of a 12-4 shot advantage, forcing four saves out of the Mustang keepers and putting several chances just wide or high of the mark. A converted penalty by Kassandra Ceja though in the 86th minute left the Bulldogs little time to knot the contest up.
How It Happened
Cal Poly opened the game the more livelier of the teams, fresh off a recent exhibition game. Shortly after Cal Poly slipped a dangerous cross through the box, the Mustangs had another opportunity as Olivia Ortiz found Nikki Trucco on the back post in transition to give Cal Poly a 1-0 lead just before 10 minutes was gone.
The Bulldogs saw multiple opportunities come their way in the final 20 minutes of the half. Bailee Kern stung the crossbar with a header off a corner in the 25th minute. Jordan Brown tried to loft an attempt over Cal Poly Lindsay Kellogg from 25 yards out but the attempt went wide. Ceja got her first good look with a rip from outside the 18.
The Bulldogs, though, were unable to capitalize on their chances and in the final minute of the half, a misplayed ball at the back post ended up in Fresno State's goal. The own goal took the sting out of the Bulldogs' momentum that they had been building.
In the 50th minute, the Mustangs had an opportunity to go up three following a foul in the box against goalkeeper Briana O'Dell. The sophomore composed herself, picked the correct spot and made a diving stop to keep the 'Dogs in it.
Lorena Montanes nearly cut the deficit five minutes later with a lofted shot from outside the box that was tipped over the top left corner of the goal. A minute later, the ball popped out to her again at the top of the 18 but her low strike tailed right of the post. The chances continued throughout the ensuing minutes as the 'Dogs upped the pressure, but the shots were just high or wide of the mark.
Ceja got the 'Dogs on the board in the 86th minute. The sophomore tried to split two defenders in the box but was tripped up. Awarded a penalty kick, she stepped and calmly slotted to the left corner.
Scoring Summary
10' - CP - Nikki Trucco (Olivia Ortiz)
45' - CP - Fresno State (OG)
86' - FS - Kassandra Ceja (PK)
Quotes
Head Coach Brian Zwaschka
On what he saw from the team in their first live action against an opponent…
"It was a great opportunity to get a game against an outside opponent after a week of preseason training. We learned a lot of things. There were definitely some mistakes which we were expecting there to be some. Now we have some good ideas of some things to prioritize and work on, but equally we saw some great things we're excited about, the organization that we tried.
"We tried a lot of things today, more than we would probably want to try in a regular game but being an exhibition we were able to do that. We feel like we learned a lot about ourselves. All things considered, I think the girls deserve credit for vastly improving from the first half to the second half. It just wasn't enough in terms of the result but it's good to see where we are in our preseason."
Up Next
Fresno State returns home for its final exhibition game on Saturday as the Bulldogs host preseason No. 2 and defending national champion Santa Clara.
"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: @FresnoStateWSOC
Instagram: FresnoStateWSOC
Following a slow start to the match, the 'Dogs controlled long stretches of play. Fresno State upped its pressure and maintained more possession in the second half to the tune of a 12-4 shot advantage, forcing four saves out of the Mustang keepers and putting several chances just wide or high of the mark. A converted penalty by Kassandra Ceja though in the 86th minute left the Bulldogs little time to knot the contest up.
How It Happened
Cal Poly opened the game the more livelier of the teams, fresh off a recent exhibition game. Shortly after Cal Poly slipped a dangerous cross through the box, the Mustangs had another opportunity as Olivia Ortiz found Nikki Trucco on the back post in transition to give Cal Poly a 1-0 lead just before 10 minutes was gone.
The Bulldogs saw multiple opportunities come their way in the final 20 minutes of the half. Bailee Kern stung the crossbar with a header off a corner in the 25th minute. Jordan Brown tried to loft an attempt over Cal Poly Lindsay Kellogg from 25 yards out but the attempt went wide. Ceja got her first good look with a rip from outside the 18.
The Bulldogs, though, were unable to capitalize on their chances and in the final minute of the half, a misplayed ball at the back post ended up in Fresno State's goal. The own goal took the sting out of the Bulldogs' momentum that they had been building.
In the 50th minute, the Mustangs had an opportunity to go up three following a foul in the box against goalkeeper Briana O'Dell. The sophomore composed herself, picked the correct spot and made a diving stop to keep the 'Dogs in it.
Lorena Montanes nearly cut the deficit five minutes later with a lofted shot from outside the box that was tipped over the top left corner of the goal. A minute later, the ball popped out to her again at the top of the 18 but her low strike tailed right of the post. The chances continued throughout the ensuing minutes as the 'Dogs upped the pressure, but the shots were just high or wide of the mark.
Ceja got the 'Dogs on the board in the 86th minute. The sophomore tried to split two defenders in the box but was tripped up. Awarded a penalty kick, she stepped and calmly slotted to the left corner.
Scoring Summary
10' - CP - Nikki Trucco (Olivia Ortiz)
45' - CP - Fresno State (OG)
86' - FS - Kassandra Ceja (PK)
Quotes
Head Coach Brian Zwaschka
On what he saw from the team in their first live action against an opponent…
"It was a great opportunity to get a game against an outside opponent after a week of preseason training. We learned a lot of things. There were definitely some mistakes which we were expecting there to be some. Now we have some good ideas of some things to prioritize and work on, but equally we saw some great things we're excited about, the organization that we tried.
"We tried a lot of things today, more than we would probably want to try in a regular game but being an exhibition we were able to do that. We feel like we learned a lot about ourselves. All things considered, I think the girls deserve credit for vastly improving from the first half to the second half. It just wasn't enough in terms of the result but it's good to see where we are in our preseason."
Up Next
Fresno State returns home for its final exhibition game on Saturday as the Bulldogs host preseason No. 2 and defending national champion Santa Clara.
"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: @FresnoStateWSOC
Instagram: FresnoStateWSOC
Players Mentioned
M/D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
F/M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
GK
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