Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Arizona State
No. 10 Bulldogs defeat No. 4 ASU
1/21/2022 3:42:00 PM | Water Polo
TEMPE, Ariz. — The No. 10 Fresno State water polo team opened the 2022 season with a statement win over No. 4 Arizona State, defeating the Sun Devils 11-8 at the Arizona State Tournament on Friday.Â
The victory over No. 4 Arizona State is the highest ranked win in program history.Â
Senior Emily Nicholson led the Bulldogs on offense with four goals and one assist in the match. In goal, sophomore Paula Nieto Jasny played all 32 minutes and recorded 10 saves.Â
Additional goal scorers included Sienna Jagielski (2), Yesenia Preciado (2), Fanni Muzsnay (1), Daphne Guevremont (1) and Brooke Ochoa (1).
HOW IT HAPPENEDÂ
Fresno State started strong on the attack, taking a 2-0 lead with back-to-back goals from Nicholson.Â
The Bulldogs' defense held the Sun Devils scoreless for the first six minutes of the contest, before they netted a goal to cut the lead in half. Nicholson recorded her first hat trick of the season to give Fresno State a 3-1 lead after the first eight minutes.Â
Arizona State came into the second quarter firing, netting two goals to tie the game 3-3. The 'Dogs responded quickly with goals from Jagielski and Ochoa to retake the lead.Â
After 16 minutes of play, Fresno State owned a 5-3 lead.Â
The teams exchanged three goals apiece through the third quarter, but in the final 30 seconds Guevremont found the back of the net to make it four goals in the quarter for the 'Dogs. Fresno State took a 9-6 lead into the final eight minutes of play.Â
The Sun Devils managed to tack on two more goals in the final quarter, but the Bulldogs countered with two of their own to secure the first victory of the season.Â
No. 10 Fresno State will face No. 7 UC Irvine at 7:30 a.m. PT and No. 5 Cal at 2:15 p.m. PT.
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"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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