Bulldogs and Gauchos play to Thursday night draw

Thursday, August 24

Fresno, CA

7 P.M. PT

Fresno State

1-0-2, 0-0-0

UCSB

1-0-2, 0-0-0

UC Santa Barbara

Fresno St.

Bulldogs and Gauchos play to Thursday night draw

8/24/2023 10:15:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – A grind for 90 minutes, with each side controlling possession in a half, Fresno State and UCSB played to a scoreless draw on Thursday night at Bulldog Soccer Stadium. It was the second draw of the young season for both teams.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gauchos were all over the Bulldogs in the opening half, claiming 64 percent of the possession. UCSB held a 7-2 shot advantage and forced Bulldog keeper Valentina Vivas into four saves.

But just as the visitors dominated the first half, Fresno State grew into the match in the second finding much more possession of the ball. UCSB through nearly struck in the 62nd minute following a handball just outside the box. Jessica Carlton went toward goal but a Kaydence Cortez-Garcia knocked away the attempt. Jessica Tamayo came in quick for the rebound but her attempt drifted wide of the mark. The Gauchos had three more attempts on goal during the next 10 minutes but those were their last of the match.

Despite being outshot 14-3 through 75 minutes, that did not deter the 'Dogs. Fresno State grew more and more dangerous in the later stages of the games. Ciara Wilson forced a big stop from UCSB keeper Sabrina Hinz in the 79th minute that was knocked out of play. Megan Galvan got deep into the box but a last-ditch diving stop from a defender blocked her shot from finding the back of the net.

The Bulldogs nearly stole the match in the final 90 seconds with a trio of attempts. A header from Tiana Beavers forced a stop from Hinz in the 89th. Less than a minute later, a lofted ball into the box found the foot of Lizbeth "Yaya" De Loera but her attempt toward the right post was again stopped by the 6-foot-3 Gaucho keeper. Finally, just before the horn, a turn and rip from Wilson drifted over the bar.

NOTES

Fresno State last played to a scoreless draw on Sept. 5, 2021 versus Saint Mary's.
The Bulldogs were outshot for the first time in 2023 (14-9).
Valentina Vivas (4 saves) and Kaydence Cortez-Garcia (2 saves) earned the combined shutout.
Ciara Wilson had a match-high three shots.
Sabrina Welch made her first start as a Bulldog.
Averee Campos, Julia Hardwick and Jordan Lau played the full 90 minutes for the third-straight match.

UP NEXT
The Bulldogs are off this weekend before returning to their pitch a week from Friday to host Pepperdine on Sept. 1. They'll follow that up with Long Beach State at home two days later.

"Fresno State Athletics - Elevate: Imagine the Possibilities" - The Elevate Campaign provides a visionary roadmap to enhance and construct a series of athletic facilities to help further position Fresno State Athletics for sustained competitive success nationally, while also further serving as a source of pride and economic growth throughout California's Central Valley. For more information, visit GoBulldogs.com/elevate.