No. 9 'Dogs defeated by No. 5 Cal

Thursday, March 28

Fresno, Calif.

12:30 p.m. PT

Fresno State

14-7, 2-1GCC

No. 5 Cal

12-4, 1-1MPSF

California

Fresno State

Photo by: Khon Saysamongdy

No. 9 'Dogs defeated by No. 5 Cal

3/28/2024 5:05:00 PM | Water Polo

Box Score

By: Savannah Stoeckle / Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. - The No. 9 Fresno State water polo team fell 10-6 to No. 5 Cal on Thursday afternoon at the Aquatics Center. Fresno State suffered its first home loss of 2024, snapping a 14-game home winning streak for the Bulldogs.

Hailey Andress and Abbey Simshauser scored two goals apiece for the Bulldogs. Kaitlin Howarth and Ashley Williams added a goal each to round out scoring for the 'Dogs. Defensively, Andress recorded a career-high six steals. Simshauser contributed with four drawn exclusions.

In goal, Paula Nieto Jasny played all 32 minutes and recorded five saves and one steal.

How it Happened
Fresno State struck first as Williams scored on the team's first possession after the sprint. Momentum felt that it was in Fresno State's favor as Brooke Ochoa got whistled for the penalty foul, but Nieto Jasny made the stop on the shot attempt to keep Fresno State ahead early on. That would be the Bulldogs' only lead in the game as Cal scored three unanswered to extend its lead to 3-1 with 2:06 left in the first quarter. Howarth closed out the first quarter with a score to close out the period with the 'Dogs down one, 3-2.

The Bulldogs found themselves in situations where they weren't able to capitalize, and the Golden Bears took advantage. Fresno State was held scoreless in the second quarter, while allowing three more goals to the Bears for a 6-2 game at the half.

The Bulldogs' scoring drought continued until the 1:18 mark of the third quarter with a goal by Andress. Fresno State allowed three more goals to Cal before Andress' goal. Simshauser drew an exclusion and scored the goal a second later to close out the third quarter. Cal led 9-4 at the end of three.

It was a low-scoring fourth quarter that saw just three goals between the teams. The Bulldogs out-scored the Bears 2-1 behind goals by Andress and Simshauser.

Notable

Fresno State saw its first home loss of the season on Thursday.
Fresno State had its first home loss since Jan. 22, 2023.
Fresno State moves to 2-4 against Top 5 teams this season.
Fresno State finishes nonconference play with a 12-6 record against nonconference opponents.
Hailey Andress was back in on the scoring action, after being held scoreless against LMU last weekend for just the fourth time in her career.
Andress had a career-high six steals.
Cynthia Rosa was 4-0 in sprints.
Rosa has won 16 sprints in a row, dating back to Feb. 25.
Caitlyn Mossman returned to action on Thursday, seeing her first play time since Feb. 17.

Up Next
Fresno State returns to GCC play at Concordia on April 6 and remain on the road at Azusa Pacific on April 12. The Bulldogs return home for one more weekend in Fresno, hosting Pacific on April 19 and Santa Clara on April 20 for Senior Day.

"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