'Dogs head north for opening weekend

FRESNO, Calif. – Following just over two weeks of camp, Fresno State opens the 2021 regular season in Oregon with a pair of Pac-12 opponents. The Bulldogs begin the season at Oregon on Thursday evening before traveling up to Corvallis for a Sunday afternoon match.

Fresno State at Oregon
Date: Thursday, Aug. 19
Time: 7 p.m. PT
Where: Pape Field (Eugene, Ore.)
Live Video: Pac-12.com
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

Fresno State at Oregon State
Date: Sunday, Aug. 22
Time: 12 p.m. PT
Where: Lorenz Field (Corvallis, Ore.)
Live Video: Pac-12.com
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

Bulldogs at a glance

Fresno State brought back 15 players from a team that finished 6-3-1 during the spring in a Mountain West-only shortened season.
The 19 points Fresno State earned was second-most in the West Division and third-most overall in the Mountain West. It was their second-highest finish since joining the conference.
Of the 15 returners, eight played in all 10 games during the spring while another five made appearances in nine games.
All three of Fresno State's All-MW First Team selections from spring return to the pitch this fall (Kassandra Ceja, Robyn McCarthy, Lorena Montanes).
Fresno State brings 11 new faces into the fold this season. Kansas transfer Chais Wright has been with the team since the winter while Fresno City College transfer Megan Galvan joined the squad during the summer along with a nine-member freshman class.

Scouting Oregon

The Ducks were predicted to finish ninth in the Pac-12 preseason coaches' poll.
Oregon finished its spring campaign with 6-5-5 record that included five wins by a single goal.
Junior Ally Cook, who twice scored in the Ducks' exhibition game against Corban, led the team's attack in the spring with four goals and nine points.
Sophomore goalkeeper Leah Freeman played in 15 games during the spring, allowing 12 goals for a 0.74 goals against average.

Scouting Oregon State

The Beavers were predicted to finish 12^th in the Pac-12 preseason coaches' poll.
Oregon State finished the spring 4-11-1.
OSU returns six of its top players from a season ago, including Brianna McReynolds who finished second on the team during the spring in goals (4), assists (4) and points (12).
Bridgette Skiba started all 16 games in goal, holding a 1.71 goals against average.

Looking back at the preseason

Though Fresno State dropped both of its exhibition games last week, head coach Brian Zwaschka saw enough adjustments from half to half, game to game to maintain his positive outlook on the team and keep his expectations high for the season.
Trailing 1-0 for much of the first half at Cal Poly, an own goal in the 45th minute proved to be the difference. Despite controlling much of the second half, the 'Dogs could only find the back of the net once.
Three days later, Fresno State hosted defending champion, and preseason No. 2, Santa Clara. Despite a 6-2 final score line, the Bulldogs held the advantage in possession but were unable to match the clinical finishing of the Broncos.

Ceja eyeing another jump in year two
Tying for the team lead in goals during the spring, sophomore Kassandra Ceja's prowess in the attacking third earned Coach Zwaschka's trust to move her from an attacking midfield role to center forward. The Lathrop, Calif. native left little doubt in the preseason of what is to come, having a hand in all three of the Bulldogs' goals. Ceja earned and converted a PK against Cal Poly. Against Santa Clara, she scored Fresno State's first on a free kick and then assisted the Bulldogs' second.

One of the top newcomers in the conference during the spring, Ceja became the first Bulldog freshman since 2002 to lead the program in goals in a season (4). She finished the season with 10 points in 10 games.

McCarthy back in the middle of the park
After playing in the middle of the defense during the spring, fifth-year senior Robyn McCarthy moved back to her midfield spot during the Bulldogs' exhibition games. Having played in both spots, the veteran leader has the ability to sit as a low-lying midfielder to provide cover for the defense while also being able to push forward in the attack to help in distribution.

McCarthy ranks second in the Mountain West in total assists (10) since 2019.
The veteran has featured in Fresno State's last 50 matches, starting 45 of them.

Contain her if you can
Put her in a tight space and Lorena Montanes is more often than not going to find a way out. Like avoiding on-rushing bulls in Pamplona, the senior has a knack for slipping away from defenders and being a significant cog in the Bulldogs' attack.

Montanes has recorded 12 points (4G/4A) since the start of 2019.
The senior has been involved in five game winners during her career (3G/2A).
Prior to Fresno State's exhibition at Cal Poly, Head Coach Brian Zwaschka announced that Montanes would join Robyn McCarthy as a captain this season

'Dogs picked fourth in preseason

Despite finishing spring with the third-highest point total in the Mountain West during the spring, Fresno State was picked to finish fourth in the league, three points behind Boise State. It was the same spot the Bulldogs were predicted to finish prior to the 2019 season.
New Mexico and San Diego State, which played in the conference championship game during the spring, were picked 1-2 in the league.

"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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'Dogs head north for opening weekend

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Players Mentioned

Kassandra Ceja

Megan Galvan

Robyn McCarthy

Lorena Montanes

Chais Wright

Fresno State Athletics

'Dogs head north for opening weekend

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Kassandra Ceja

Megan Galvan

Robyn McCarthy

Lorena Montanes

Chais Wright

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