Bulldogs win big on Senior Day, 23-4

Saturday, April 20

Fresno, Calif.

1 p.m. PT

Fresno State

Santa Clara

Abbey Simshauser and Hailey Andress celebrate a play

Photo by: Amiee Sabado

Bulldogs win big on Senior Day, 23-4

4/20/2024 3:40:00 PM | Water Polo

Box Score

By: Savannah Stoeckle / Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. - The No. 9 Fresno State water polo team defeated Santa Clara 23-4 to close out the regular season with an 18-7 overall record and a 6-1 Golden Coast Conference record.

Fresno State used nine different goal-scorers in the win on Saturday afternoon, behind a team-high five goals by Abbey Simshauser. Hailey Andress, Ella Simone, Aryanah Tellez, and Susanna Martinez contributed with three goals apiece. Brooke Ochoa and Ashley Williams added two each. Kaitlin Howarth and Kira Anderson netted one each.

Simshauser and Ochoa spread the offensive efforts with three assists each.

Defensively, Simshauser tallied four steals. Paula Nieto Jasny and Ida Tully-Giles split time in the cage, each recording 16 minutes. Nieto Jasny got the start and recorded five saves, Tully-Giles came in at the start of the third quarter and added four saves. Both keepers allowed two goals to the Broncos.

Saturday was senior day at the Aquatics Center, and the Bulldogs recognized five seniors prior to the game – Paula Nieto Jasny, Kelly Villanueva, Cynthia Rosa, Kaitlin Howarth, and Robyn Greenslade.

How it happened
Fresno State struck first, with a goal by Simshauser on the first possession. Santa Clara didn't take long to find a response, tying the game on its next possession. Simshauser drew the penalty foul, and Ochoa converted the shot to give the Bulldogs the lead again with 5:55 left in the opening quarter. Simshauser scored her second goal of the game at the 4:32 mark, and Martinez closed out the period with two-straight scores to put the Bulldogs ahead 5-1 at the end of the first.

The Bulldogs scored five goals to open the second before the Broncos could score. The 'Dogs used two scores by Andress and Simshauser, and one by Howarth, to extend the lead to 10-1. Santa Clara would score at the buzzer to make it a 10-2 game at halftime in favor of the Bulldogs.

Fresno State had eight goals scored in the third period, its most in a period on the day. Williams got the scoring action started out of the half, scoring on a powerplay opportunity. The Broncos capitalized on a powerplay opportunity of their own at the 7:00 mark. Andress scored her second goal of the afternoon on a penalty shot, giving the 'Dogs their 12th goal of the game with 6:39 remaining in the third quarter. Santa Clara got one through at the 4:31 mark, but the 'Dogs closed out the quarter with six unanswered goals to carry a 18-4 lead into the final quarter.

Defense and offense were working together to close out the game, outscoring the Broncos 5-0 in the quarter. Fresno State used goals by Williams, Tellez and Simone in the final quarter with Tellez and Simone scoring two each.

Notable

Fresno State finished the season with a 10-1 record at home, the most home wins in a season in program history.
The Bulldogs scored their most goals in a conference game in program history on Saturday.
Fresno State remains undefeated when scoring 10 or more goals (16-0).
The Bulldogs improved to 16-2 when allowing nine or fewer goals.
Ella Simone scored a season-high three goals.
Aryanah Tellez scored a career-high three goals.

Up Next
The Bulldogs turn their attention to the GCC Championships next weekend (April 26-28), hosted by Santa Clara. Tickets for the championship are available for purchase here.

"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.