Bryan Cole / The Collegian

After tough weekend in Colorado, Bulldogs look to rebound this weekend in Fresno

An important weekend lies ahead for the women̢۪s soccer team as it tries to get back on track at home after two losses last weekend in Colorado.

The Bulldogs lost 3-2 in overtime to Denver University and the No. 21 Colorado Buffaloes were just too much to handle for the Bulldogs resulting in a 4-1 loss.

Both teams were in the NCAA Tournament last season.

“We played well against Denver and had a chance to win in overtime, but a questionable call turned the game around,â€Â coach Steve Springthorpe said. “Colorado was a solid team and was a good challenge. The effort was there, but their depth was the difference in the second half.â€Â

Consistency key to Bulldog success

The two losses put a bit more pressure on the team this weekend because two more losses put the Bulldogs six games below .500.

“This weekend is very important, and a 2-8 record is not a position we want to be in,â€Â Springthorpe said.

The Bulldogs have lost or won every game by one goal, except against Colorado.

“In the first six games, we’ve had some good games and some games that we just played flat,â€Â goalie Kaitlyn Revel said. “It’s been tough, because it seems like the offense will be on one day and the defense off or vice versa.â€Â

Even though the games have been close, the Bulldogs have only been able to win two of them. In order to gain more success, the Bulldogs must find some consistency.

Fresno State lost four games to start the season, then won two, and now have dropped their last two.

“It’s frustrating, but this team has a lot of heart. We just have to continue to work hard and move forward. Coach is always preaching consistency,â€Â Revel said.

But finding consistency with a young team is easier said than done.

“It’s been a roller coaster so far this year. We just need to try and improve with each day, and get better with each game,â€Â Springthorpe said.

Stiff competition coming up

This weekend the Bulldogs face Seattle University for the first time in school history.

Fresno State hosts Sacramento State Sunday afternoon, the 12th meeting between the two teams. The Bulldogs lead the series 8-3, but the Hornets won the last meeting.

“Both these teams play a similar style to how we play and are similar in record,â€Â Springthorpe said. “Our goal is to win these two at home, but these will certainly not be easy games.â€Â

It might not be the start the Bulldogs were looking for and they have just four games before conference play begins on Oct. 10.

“Non-conference games are a good experience, but conference play is what we really look forward to,â€Â Revel said. “Our team is fine, and our chemistry is way better this year than last. We just have to put it all together.â€Â

Team hopes to prove itself

Often, a question that surrounds this team is whether or not this team has the experience necessary to win.

“It gets brought up, but I keep telling these girls we could get on a roll and are very capable of winning 12-13 games on the season still,â€Â Springthorpe said. “We have a good chance of winning our conference games, and in the past we have proved that.â€Â

The Bulldogs will look to get back on track at home tonight at 7 p.m. against Seattle. On Sunday, the team will finish their homestand when they face Sacramento State at 2 p.m.

Kicking it around…
The Fresno State soccer team has two home games this weekend. Both will be played inside Bulldog Stadium.

Here are upcoming games for the Bulldogs:

̢ۢTonight, 7 p.m., Seattle

̢ۢ Sunday, 2 p.m., Sacramento St.

̢ۢ 10/3, 5 p.m., at Oregon St.

̢ۢ 10/5, TBA, at Portland St.