The Bulldogs play San Jose State to open the 2010 WAC season.
Sept. 29, 2010
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FRESNO, Calif. -
For the first time in three years, the Fresno State women's soccer team opens Western Athletic Conference play at home. Second year head coach Brian Zwaschka is 1-0 in WAC openers after the `Dogs beat Hawai'i 1-0 last year in Honolulu. Fresno State has won four of their last five WAC openers and the last three were won by a score of 1-0.
Against San Jose State
Thursday marks the third time in four years the Bulldogs begin the WAC schedule against the Spartans. In 2007 and 2008 the `Dogs beat San Jose State 1-0 to start the season off with a win. Fresno State leads the overall series 13-5-1 and the series began in 1995. The `Dogs are 5-0-1 when playing the Spartans in Bulldog Stadium. Prior to last year's loss on the road, the Bulldogs had won five-straight against SJSU.
About the Spartans
San Jose State comes into Thursday night's match up with a four-game winning streak. Last weekend, the Spartans picked up two wins over St. Mary's and Idaho State. SJSU has an overall record of 5-5-0. Goalkeeper Meghan Maiwald earned Defensive Player of the Week honors for recording her second shutout of the year. She has 39 saves and 13 goals against in 10 games. Kelsey Lord leads the team in goals (5) and points (12). She also has two assists and 26 shots on the year.
`Dogs Defense Shines
The Bulldog defense recorded their second shutout of the year against UC Santa Barbara. Fresno State defense has dominated the WAC in recent years. Since 2006 the Bulldogs have recorded a shutout in 20 of 30 WAC games. In those 30 WAC games the `Dogs have allowed only 14 goals for goals against average of .46. In the last four years, Fresno State has compiled a WAC record of 21-6-3.
WAC Statistical Leaders
The Bulldogs are 10 games into the 2010 season and several players rank among the top 10 in WAC Stats. Junior Molly Nizzoli is eighth in the WAC in shots per game (2.62). Midfielder Laura Dodd is 10th in the WAC in goals (3). Preseason All-WAC goalkeeper Kaitlyn Revel is fifth in the conference in goals against average (1.16). Revel is seventh in saves (30) and tied for fourth in shutouts (2).
`Dogs Goooooooal!
The Bulldogs have scored 10 goals in 10 games this season. Junior Laura Dodd leads the goal count with three goals. Other Bulldogs with goals are Molly Nizzoli, Nicole Duff, Claudia Cardenas, Vanessa Gonzalez and Janna Sadowitz. The `Dogs scored a game-high three goals against Florida Atlantic University on Sept. 5. The record for most goals scored in a match is eight set in 2000 against Weber State. The most goals scored in a season is 39, which was also set in 2000. Former Bulldog Jill Pearson holds the record for most goals scored in a career (40), in a season (15) and in a game (4).
Setting Up the Goal
Fresno State has recorded 14 assists in 10 games. Leading the way is Molly Nizzoli, Nicole Duff, Kendall VanDine and Bradlee DeShane. Also contributing assists in 2010 is Claudia Cardenas, Laura Dodd, Janna Sadowitz, Bianca Lopez, Katie Lee and Tara Boynton. Former Bulldog midfielder Ali Sill owns several assist records. Sill holds the record for career assists (23), single game assists (2) and single season assists (9). As a team the most assists recorded in a season is 34, which was set in 2007. The single game record is eight assists, which was done in 2003 against San Jose State.
`Dogs in Extra Minutes
The Bulldogs have taken three games into extra minutes under second year head coach Brian Zwaschka. The `Dogs are 1-1-1 in overtime games, all have occurred this year. Fresno State earned a win over Texas State and a loss against UC Davis.
"We Are Your Team" The `Dogs start the 2010 WAC season on Sept. 30 against San Jose State at 7 p.m. Bring two cans for the Fresno Community Food Bank and receive a coupon for a FREE burger at In-n-Out.
