Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Pacific
No. 8 'Dogs defeat No. 16 Tigers
3/26/2022 10:31:00 PM | Water Polo
FRESNO, Calif. – The No. 8 Fresno State water polo team defeated No. 16 Pacific in overtime in front of a packed crowd at the Aquatics Center on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs (11-7, 3-0 GCC) have won nine straight and remain a perfect 7-0 at home this season.
"One of our best qualities as a team is that we are deep," said head coach Natalie Benson, "We don't just trust one or two people to get the job done, the outcome of the game depends on all of us. I knew this would be a tight game. Pacific is a strong team. They're well-coached and have a lot of weapons on their roster. They do things that are slightly unorthodox to throw off their opponents. It was a good wake-up call for us. I'm glad we were able to come out with a win."
The Bulldogs played in front of another packed crowd with only standing room in the Aquatics Center.Â
"I think one of the coolest things about being in Fresno is the fans and the support from the student-athletes," Benson said. "Our players go to the football games and it's great to see them out here at ours. If it's going to be a home game, we have to make it a home game atmosphere. They gave us a great environment today. I appreciate them coming out because I love watching them on Saturdays."Â
Daphne Guevremont, Sienna Jagielski and Fanni Muzsnay scored two goal apiece. Paula Nieto Jasny played the entire game in the cage. She logged 12 goals in the contest.Â
HOW IT HAPPENEDÂ
Pacific came out firing, taking a quick 4-0 lead. Guevremont finally broke through for the Bulldogs, finding the back of the net with 21 seconds left in the opening quarter. The Tigers were up 4-1 after the opening eight minutes.Â
The second quarter was a defensive battle, but Fresno State netted two goals to make it a one-goal game at the half.Â
Savannah Fitzgerald opened scoring in the third quarter, tying the game 4-4. The teams exchanged goals three times to keep the game tied 7-7 going into the final eight minutes of regulation.Â
Emily Diacono retook the lead, netting a goal to open the fourth quarter. The Tigers scored with 21 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.Â
Sienna Jagielski and Fanni Muzsnay scored back-to-back goals in the first overtime to take a 9-7 lead over Pacific. Emily Nicholson secured win in the second overtime period with the final goal for the Bulldogs. Fresno State improved to 3-0 in GCC play with a 10-7 win.Â
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