Quick counters haunt 'Dogs in Albuquerque

Thursday, October 6

Albuquerque, NM

6:30 P.M. PT

Fresno State

1-9-3, 1-3-1

New Mexico

4-3-5, 2-1-2

Fresno St.

New Mexico

Photo by: Samuel Marshall

Quick counters haunt 'Dogs in Albuquerque

10/6/2022 9:10:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Despite the Bulldogs putting New Mexico's back line on consistent pressure, a trio of counter attack goals, two that came on breakaways, led to Fresno State falling 3-1 to New Mexico on Thursday night at the UNM Soccer Complex.

How It Happened
Fresno State came out with a corner in the opening minute. The ball was dropped in to Kaya Scott outside the six but her touch toward the right corner was cleared off the line. Another dangerous opportunity on the Bulldogs' second corner in the eighth minute led to an unlucky break. A shot from Chais Wright was deflected up into the air. A quick pass out of a congested box found the feet of Leilani Baker who out ran the Bulldog defense before slipping a shot past Valentina Vivas at the top of the box.

After the initial shock, Fresno State continued to put the ball into dangerous spots, forcing multiple desperate clearances from the Lobos in and around their six-yard box. Most notably, the 30^th minute saw a set piece from the left wing lead to successive shots from Jaylyn Wright on a tight angle that were both deflected back off the line.

The Lobos doubled their advantage in the 37^th minute. A quick counter down the right flank from Jaelyn Hendren saw her low low cross slip through the hands of a diving Valentina Vivas on a drizzly night. Baker was sitting on the back to tap in her second of the half.

Minutes after Kassandra Ceja watched her shot from 12 yards got stopped, the Bulldogs were caught continuing to push numbers into the box. A turnover at the edge of the 18 led to clearance over the top of the Bulldogs' back line that put Zaria Katesigwa in on a breakaway.

Tiana Beavers got one back for the 'Dogs in the 88^th minute as the Lobos headed down a ball that landed at the top of the 18. The sophomore got a free run, striking the loose ball inside the left post.

Scoring Summary
7:53 – NM – Leilani Baker
36:26 – NM – Leilani Baker (Jaelyn Hendren)
62:41 – NM – Zaria Katesigwa (Natalie DeGagne)
87:37 – FS – Tiana Beavers

Notes

Fresno State dropped to 1-4-1 all-time against the Lobos in Albuquerque.
The Bulldogs were outshot 14-12.
Fresno State produced a season-high 14 corners.
Freshman Tiana Beavers netted her first career goal.

Up Next
The Bulldogs will head back west for a matchup with first-place San Diego State on Sunday. Kickoff at the SDSU Sports Deck is set for noon.

"Fresno State Athletics - For The V: The Central Valley" - Bulldog student-athletes, coaches, and staff proudly wear the "Green V" to show their pride in representing the Central Valley. Stories of why the Bulldogs play for the "Green V" will be shared throughout the next year with #ForTheV. To become a Bulldog Foundation member or join "The Green V Society," please visit bulldogfoundation.org.

Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWSOC
Instagram: FresnoStateWSOC