The Fresno State soccer team lost to No. 20 Pepperdine 3-0 on Fri, Aug. 26.
The final score does not reflect the match’s competitive nature, especially in the first half. Pepperdine’s Bri Visalli scored the first goal minutes before halftime.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair with the Bulldogs taking eight shots, the Waves nine. Fresno State goalie Nicole Theroux had six saves at the half. The Fresno State record for saves in a game is 13.
The momentum took a turn when Bulldogs midfielder Sara Jo Ciapponi received her second yellow card in the 72nd minute resulting in a red card. She had to leave the match.
The Bulldogs held their own, but ultimately were overwhelmed and could not make up being one player down.
Pepperdine’s Katy Byrne netted the second goal in the 77th minute, and Nicole Leggio scored the third in the 81st.
Theroux finished with eight saves.
Fresno State will travel to Portland State for a match Sept. 2 and will face UC Davis on Sept. 4. The Bulldogs return home Sept. 9 to play Pacific.
