Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, August 14
Fresno, CA
7 P.M. PT
Fresno State
2
vs
6
Santa Clara (EX)
Photo by: FRESNO STATE BRAND STRATEGY AND MARKETING - PHOTO BY CARY EDMONDSON
Tested by defending champs in tune-up
8/14/2021 11:47:00 PM | Women's Soccer
FRESNO, Calif. – The preseason is meant to give teams a chance to test themselves, to learn, to grow and to take chances.
On Saturday night, in front of 2,102 fans, Fresno State's largest crowd since hosting Santa Clara in 2013, the Bulldogs did just that, not changing its style as they took on one of the most explosive teams in the country in the defending champion Broncos, a team which welcomed back all its primary attacking options from the spring. While that prowess showed in the 6-2 final score, the Bulldogs never wavered, finding more of the ball (55%-45% possession) and attempting to play their game.
"We were certainly excited to be able to host the defending national champions," head coach Brian Zwaschka said. "We knew it was going to be a really tough contest but we specifically wanted to make sure that we were in the best learning environment and also put ourselves in a situation where we really had to test ourselves."
Playing four 25-minute quarters with a pair of two-minute water breaks and a full 15-minute halftime in the exhibition, Fresno State was able to take a look at different combinations and different goalkeepers.
How It Happened
Fresno State managed to keep the Broncos off the scoreboard early but the visitors wasted little time after the first break. All-American and Top Drawer Soccer Player of the Year, Kelsey Turnbow got loose on a through ball and slotted the game's first goal past Briana O'Dell on a breakaway in the opening minute. Less than 90 seconds later, Turnbow, who received the ball on her goal from Izzy D'Aquila, returned the favor as D'Aquila as she got past the Bulldog defense and found herself 1-on-1 with O'Dell to make it 2-0.
Fresno State cut the deficit to one late in the half. In the 46th minute, Kassandra Ceja sent a dangerous ball into the box on a free kick from 28 yards out. The ball found traffic in the six-yard box and skipped into the back of the net for the sophomore's second goal of the preseason.
Trailing but riding high with momentum coming out of the break, Santa Clara quickly struck again. A loose ball in the box was pounced on by Diana Morales and she found the side netting. Marika Guay then extended the Broncos lead to 4-1 just over five minutes later.
Less than four minutes in the final period, Ceja sent Jordan Brown free through the Bronco back line. One-on-one with Felicity Baker, Jordan slipped the ball past the keeper's left side. Santa Clara wasn't done though, scoring twice more in the final 16 minutes of the game with balls sent into the box from Riley Burrill.
Quotes
Brian Zwaschka, Fresno State Head Coach
On Wednesday's exhibition versus Saturday's exhibition…
"The things that we addressed from our first exhibition, I couldn't be happier because we shored up a lot of things. The only thing about it is that we saw what clinical finishing is like but it was a tremendous learning opportunity because I feel that we had a major improvement from the first game but it was against a significantly more difficult opponent."
On the crowd…
"It was an absolutely amazing atmosphere, definitely thankful for the athletic department for putting everything together and the students, faculty and staff who all came out to support us and make it special. The other local soccer fans and Red Wave were just amazing. A big shout out to El Escuadron for bringing the noise and the rhythm to the game because that creates a really special atmosphere and we're excited to see that continue. What an amazing crowd tonight."
Scoring Summary
25:13 – SCU – Kelsey Turnbow (Izzy D'Aquila)
26:27 – SCU – Izza D'Aquila (Kelsey Turnbow)
45:21 – FS – Kassandra Ceja
53:10 – SCU – Diana Morales
58:40 – SCU – Marika Guay
78:46 – FS – Jordan Brown (Kassandra Ceja)
84:22 – SCU – Marika Guay (Riley Burrill)
92:14 – SCU – Nicole Sweeney (Riley Burrill)
Up Next
Fresno State opens the regular season on Thursday at Oregon. Kickoff at Pape Field is slated for 7 p.m. PT.
"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
On Saturday night, in front of 2,102 fans, Fresno State's largest crowd since hosting Santa Clara in 2013, the Bulldogs did just that, not changing its style as they took on one of the most explosive teams in the country in the defending champion Broncos, a team which welcomed back all its primary attacking options from the spring. While that prowess showed in the 6-2 final score, the Bulldogs never wavered, finding more of the ball (55%-45% possession) and attempting to play their game.
"We were certainly excited to be able to host the defending national champions," head coach Brian Zwaschka said. "We knew it was going to be a really tough contest but we specifically wanted to make sure that we were in the best learning environment and also put ourselves in a situation where we really had to test ourselves."
Playing four 25-minute quarters with a pair of two-minute water breaks and a full 15-minute halftime in the exhibition, Fresno State was able to take a look at different combinations and different goalkeepers.
How It Happened
Fresno State managed to keep the Broncos off the scoreboard early but the visitors wasted little time after the first break. All-American and Top Drawer Soccer Player of the Year, Kelsey Turnbow got loose on a through ball and slotted the game's first goal past Briana O'Dell on a breakaway in the opening minute. Less than 90 seconds later, Turnbow, who received the ball on her goal from Izzy D'Aquila, returned the favor as D'Aquila as she got past the Bulldog defense and found herself 1-on-1 with O'Dell to make it 2-0.
Fresno State cut the deficit to one late in the half. In the 46th minute, Kassandra Ceja sent a dangerous ball into the box on a free kick from 28 yards out. The ball found traffic in the six-yard box and skipped into the back of the net for the sophomore's second goal of the preseason.
Trailing but riding high with momentum coming out of the break, Santa Clara quickly struck again. A loose ball in the box was pounced on by Diana Morales and she found the side netting. Marika Guay then extended the Broncos lead to 4-1 just over five minutes later.
Less than four minutes in the final period, Ceja sent Jordan Brown free through the Bronco back line. One-on-one with Felicity Baker, Jordan slipped the ball past the keeper's left side. Santa Clara wasn't done though, scoring twice more in the final 16 minutes of the game with balls sent into the box from Riley Burrill.
Quotes
Brian Zwaschka, Fresno State Head Coach
On Wednesday's exhibition versus Saturday's exhibition…
"The things that we addressed from our first exhibition, I couldn't be happier because we shored up a lot of things. The only thing about it is that we saw what clinical finishing is like but it was a tremendous learning opportunity because I feel that we had a major improvement from the first game but it was against a significantly more difficult opponent."
On the crowd…
"It was an absolutely amazing atmosphere, definitely thankful for the athletic department for putting everything together and the students, faculty and staff who all came out to support us and make it special. The other local soccer fans and Red Wave were just amazing. A big shout out to El Escuadron for bringing the noise and the rhythm to the game because that creates a really special atmosphere and we're excited to see that continue. What an amazing crowd tonight."
Scoring Summary
25:13 – SCU – Kelsey Turnbow (Izzy D'Aquila)
26:27 – SCU – Izza D'Aquila (Kelsey Turnbow)
45:21 – FS – Kassandra Ceja
53:10 – SCU – Diana Morales
58:40 – SCU – Marika Guay
78:46 – FS – Jordan Brown (Kassandra Ceja)
84:22 – SCU – Marika Guay (Riley Burrill)
92:14 – SCU – Nicole Sweeney (Riley Burrill)
Up Next
Fresno State opens the regular season on Thursday at Oregon. Kickoff at Pape Field is slated for 7 p.m. PT.
"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
F
/ Women's Soccer
F/M
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerSoccer Media Availability (8/4/25)
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