Bulldogs fall to No. 5 USC

Sunday, February 25

Irvine, Calif.

10:15 a.m. PT

Fresno State

12-5

No. 5 USC

8-3

Southern California

Fresno State

Photo by: Dennis Silvas

Bulldogs fall to No. 5 USC

2/25/2024 7:15:00 PM | Water Polo

Box Score

By: Savannah Stoeckle / Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications

IRVINE, Calif. - The No. 3 Fresno State water polo team fell to No. 5 USC 12-9 on the final day of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, hosted by UC Irvine this weekend. The Bulldogs finished the tournament 2-2 with wins over Biola (RV) and No. 12 Long Beach State.

On the season, Fresno State is 12-5 with eight wins over ranked opponents. The Bulldogs turn their attention to conference play with the Golden Coast Conference opener on March 9.

Hailey Andress led the 'Dogs in scoring with her seventh hat trick of the season and second on the weekend, scoring three goals on Sunday against USC. Abbey Simshauser and Ashley Williams tallied two goals apiece while Cynthia Rosa and Robyn Greenslade added one each.

Paula Nieto Jasny was in the cage, playing all 32 minutes and tallying eight saves.

How it happened
The teams tied 4-4 in the opening quarter. USC was on the board first with a made penalty shot less than 90 seconds in. The Trojans scored another before Andress scored the first for the 'Dogs. USC and Fresno State traded goals again as the Trojans scored but Simshauser took advantage of the powerplay opportunity to keep the 'Dogs within one, again. Andress scored back-to-back goals to put Fresno State ahead 4-3 but USC responded to force a tie game into the second quarter.

USC scored two-straight to open the second. Rosa would score her lone goal with 1:26 left in the quarter. With a minute left on the clock, USC scored another to take a 7-5 lead. In the final seconds, Andress drew a penalty foul and Simshauser was called to attempt the 5-meter. Her shot hit the back of the net to make it a one-goal game at the half, 7-6, in favor of USC.

The Bulldogs couldn't make anything happen in the third, being outscored 3-0 in the quarter. That proved to be the difference-maker in the game as Fresno State turned around to outscore the Trojans 3-2 in the final quarter but the deficit was too far to overcome before time expired.

Williams scored her two goals back-to-back in the fourth quarter and Greenslade hit the final one on a powerplay opportunity midway in the fourth. Defense closed out the game as neither team scored in the final 4:23.

Notable

No. 1 UCLA took the crown at the 2024 Barbara Kalbus Invitational, defeating No. 2 Hawai'i in the final.
Fresno State had losses to only ranked teams in the tournament, falling to No. 6 Cal and No. 5 USC.
2024 was the first time Fresno State receivied an invitation to the prestigious tournament.
Abbey Simshauser led the 'Dogs in scoring on the weekend, totaling 13 goals in four games including a career-high six goals against Long Beach State (Saturday).
Hailey Andress totaled 10 goals on the weekend. She scored at least one in all four games.
Andress has an active streak of 37 consecutive games with at least one goal, dating back to January 29, 2023.
In her career, Andress has just three games without a goal scored.
Head coach Natalie Benson has reached a 91-68 record as head coach for the Bulldogs.

Up Next
Fresno State has two weeks off to prepare for conference play. The Bulldogs host CBU in the GCC opener at noon on March 9 at the Aquatics Center. Parking and admission are free.

"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