Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, April 23
Riverside, CA
4 P.M. PT
Fresno State
10
vs
7
San Diego State
'Dogs punch ticket to Championship
4/23/2022 9:11:00 PM | Water Polo
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Top-seeded Fresno State punched its ticket to the 2022 Golden Coast Conference championship game after defeating No. 4 San Diego State 10-7 in the semifinals on Saturday evening at the Lancer Aquatics Center.
Savannah Fitzgerald led the Bulldogs with a hat trick. Additional goal scorers included Brooke Ochoa (2), Fanni Muzsnay (2), Emily Nicholson (1), Daphne Guevremont (1), Yesenia Preciado (1).
Goalkeeper Paula Nieto Jasny had a big game playing all 32 minutes with 13 saves in cage for Fresno State.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State opened the game with back-to-back goals to take a quick 2-0 lead. SDSU responded with a goal, but Ochoa hastily netted her first goal of the game to extend the lead. Muzsnay converted the penalty shot, giving the 'Dogs a 4-1 lead. Nieto Jasny made a huge save on the next possession but the Aztecs were able to grab the rebound and score the final goal of the quarter. Fresno State owned a 4-2 advantage after the first eight minutes.
Fitzgerald drew an exclusion and then scored on the power play to start the second quarter. SDSU netted back-to-back goals and grabbed a key steal on the next possession to try swing momentum in the Aztecs direction. SDSU drew a penalty down by one goal, but Nieto Jasny made a clutch save on the penalty shot to keep the Bulldogs' lead. Preciado threw an entry pass into Nicholson and she took on two defenders to put a dent in the twine with seven seconds left. The 'Dogs went into halftime with a 6-4 lead.
The third quarter was a defensive battle. Fresno State shutout San Diego State for an entire quarter, but netting two itself to take an 8-4 lead into the final eight minutes.
Fitzgerald got the offense going in the fourth quarter, firing the ball into the back of the cage for her third goal of the contest. The teams exchanged goals, and then Fresno State would slow the down the tempo. The Aztecs tallied two more goals before time expired, but the Bulldogs would take the win 10-7.
Fresno State will defend its title in the championship game tomorrow against No. 3 LMU at 1 p.m. PT.
Quotes:Â
"We are coming in as the underdogs. We have to have that attitude no matter the situation. We are still the program that is growing and budding. We need to prove that last year wasn't a fluke."Â
Game Notes:
 "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 call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: FresnoStateWP
Instagram: FresnoStateWP
Â
Savannah Fitzgerald led the Bulldogs with a hat trick. Additional goal scorers included Brooke Ochoa (2), Fanni Muzsnay (2), Emily Nicholson (1), Daphne Guevremont (1), Yesenia Preciado (1).
Goalkeeper Paula Nieto Jasny had a big game playing all 32 minutes with 13 saves in cage for Fresno State.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State opened the game with back-to-back goals to take a quick 2-0 lead. SDSU responded with a goal, but Ochoa hastily netted her first goal of the game to extend the lead. Muzsnay converted the penalty shot, giving the 'Dogs a 4-1 lead. Nieto Jasny made a huge save on the next possession but the Aztecs were able to grab the rebound and score the final goal of the quarter. Fresno State owned a 4-2 advantage after the first eight minutes.
Fitzgerald drew an exclusion and then scored on the power play to start the second quarter. SDSU netted back-to-back goals and grabbed a key steal on the next possession to try swing momentum in the Aztecs direction. SDSU drew a penalty down by one goal, but Nieto Jasny made a clutch save on the penalty shot to keep the Bulldogs' lead. Preciado threw an entry pass into Nicholson and she took on two defenders to put a dent in the twine with seven seconds left. The 'Dogs went into halftime with a 6-4 lead.
The third quarter was a defensive battle. Fresno State shutout San Diego State for an entire quarter, but netting two itself to take an 8-4 lead into the final eight minutes.
Fitzgerald got the offense going in the fourth quarter, firing the ball into the back of the cage for her third goal of the contest. The teams exchanged goals, and then Fresno State would slow the down the tempo. The Aztecs tallied two more goals before time expired, but the Bulldogs would take the win 10-7.
Fresno State will defend its title in the championship game tomorrow against No. 3 LMU at 1 p.m. PT.
Quotes:Â
"We are coming in as the underdogs. We have to have that attitude no matter the situation. We are still the program that is growing and budding. We need to prove that last year wasn't a fluke."Â
Game Notes:
- Fresno State advances to the championship game for the second consecutive season.Â
- Fresno State has won 14 straight games.Â
- Savannah Fitzgerald logged her second hat trick of the season.Â
- Paula Nieto Jasny recorded 10-plus saves for the seventh time this season.Â
 "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 call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: FresnoStateWP
Instagram: FresnoStateWP
Â
Players Mentioned
Utility
/ Water Polo
Attacker
/ Water Polo
Attacker
/ Water Polo
Center
/ Water Polo
Goalkeeper
/ Water Polo
Utility
/ Water Polo
Utility
/ Water PoloWP: GCC Championship Quarterfinal vs CUI [4.25.25]
Saturday, April 26
WP highlight vs CUI [2.22.25]
Saturday, February 22
WP highlight vs Redlands [2.15.25]
Tuesday, February 18
WP highlight vs Fresno Pacific [2/15/25]
Saturday, February 15