'Dogs open MW play in Colorado

Friday, September 24

Colorado Springs, CO

6 P.M. PT

Fresno State

Colorado College

Photo by: Armando Carreno

'Dogs open MW play in Colorado

9/23/2021 5:54:00 PM | Women's Soccer

FS Notes - Week 6

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

THE BREAKDOWN

Fresno State opens Mountain West play in Colorado Springs, first facing Colorado College on Friday before finishing its road trip at Air Force on Sunday.
The Bulldogs will be leaving California for the first time since Aug. 22.

Fresno State (2-3-2) vs. Colorado College (1-6-0)
Date: Friday, Sept. 24
Time: 6 p.m. PT
Where: Stewart Field (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Live Video: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: Sidearmstats

Fresno State (2-3-2) vs. Air Force (3-3-1)
Date: Sunday, Sept. 26
Time: 11 a.m. PT
Where: Cadet Soccer Stadium (USAF Academy, Colo.)
Live Video: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

SEPTEMBER SWING
Since the calendar turned to September, Fresno State has begun to find its groove. While the Bulldogs were 0-2 in August, they are 2-1-2 this month, while playing each of those matches within their home state.

Fresno State has outscored opponents 7-2 this month compared to being outscored 7-1 in August.

EXAMINING THE NONCONFERENCE

Fresno State finished its nonconference season at 2-3-2, with each of its losses coming on the road. The 'Dogs were 1-0-2 in Fresno. The Bulldogs' lone win away from home was a 1-0 result at CSU Bakersfield.

Fresno State's three losses came to Oregon, Oregon State and Pacific who had a combined record of 23-1-4 during the nonconference.

LOOKING TO MAKE A RETURN
Friday marks the start of Mountain West play which means every point going forward matters. In each of the last three seasons that saw a Mountain West tournament (2017, 2018, 2019), Fresno State has finished in the top six of the conference to earn a spot in the postseason tournament.

The Bulldogs finished with 17 point twice and 18 points once.
Last spring, the 'Dogs recorded 19 points while playing only five teams from the West Division (Boise State, Nevada, San Diego State, San Jose State and UNLV) though only the top team in each division made the championship match.

BUILDING A WALL
During the first four games of September, the 'Dogs have allowed just one goal. It is the least amount of the goals allowed by Fresno State during a four-match stretch since 2016 (Sept. 4-18). The Bulldogs have allowed two goals in its last five matches, following seven in its first two outings the year.

With shutouts against Saint Mary's and UCSB, the Bulldogs notched back-to-back shutouts for the first time since recording a pair of 2-0 wins over Wyoming and Nevada on Oct. 13 and Oct. 17 of 2019.
The Bulldogs have seen three keepers play this month with Ella Wilson and Valentina Vivas splitting the starts.
The same four defenders have started the last four matches (Kylie Lucero, Jordan Lau, Robyn McCarthy, Chais Wright).
The center back pairing of Lau and McCarthy have combined for 783 minutes in September.

SCOUTING COLORADO COLLEGE

Colorado College enters Mountain West play with a 1-6-0 record.
The Tigers lone win of the year came on its home field last time out, a 1-0 result in overtime against Southern Utah.
Colorado College has scored just three goals compared to allowing 13, yet the Tigers are outshooting their opponents 91-56.
Lily Byrne leads the Tigers in scoring with two goals.
Taryn Benham sits seventh in the MW in goals against average at 1.46.

SERIES HISTORY

The Bulldogs are 4-2-1 all-time against the Tigers.
Fresno State is 3-0-1 against Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colo., winning 1-0 on its last trip.

SCOUTING AIR FORCE

Air Force heads into the weekend with a 3-3-1 record.
The Falcons dropped their last game out, a 1-0 defeat to South Dakota State at home. That snapped a two-match win streak over Navy and Army.
AFA has scored six goals to their opponents nine.
The Falcons have been outshot 95-67.
Six different Falcons have found the back of the net.
Faith Lee leads the team with four points (1G/2A).
Cammi Bych has started every game in goal, holding a 1.30 GAA with a league-best three shutouts.

SERIES HISTORY

The Bulldogs are 7-2-1 all-time against the Falcons.
Fresno State is 3-1-1 at the Academy with the one draw coming in their last trip in 2018 (1-1).

"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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