The Fresno State women’s soccer team (5-3-2) came away with a 0-0 draw, against No. 10 Utah State on Sunday afternoon at Bulldog Soccer Stadium.
Fresno State Head Coach Brian Zwaschka credits the ‘Dogs’ defense throughout the game that kept the game competitive, especially against one of the best teams in the nation.
“I thought we were rock solid on defense and that’s important against a team that’s been scoring three, four goals a game,” Zwaschka said.
Fresno State was just the second team this season to hold the Aggies without a goal. Utah State entered the game scoring at least two goals in 10 of its 11 matches and had beaten nine of those opponents by at least two goals.
The game started off with the Aggies putting the pressure on the Bulldogs, attempting three shots in the fifth, seventh and ninth minute, but were all off target.
Soon after, the ‘Dogs returned the favor by bringing defenders up to the halfway line, applying pressure. As a result, an opportunity opened up for the ‘Dogs early in the twenty-eighth minute, but it was broken up after a controversial no-call from the referee after a Fresno State player was tripped to the ground.
Zwaschka let his frustrations be known to the referee, shouting across the field arguing for a penalty. The referee stopped the game to explain the decision to the Bulldogs’ head coach.
“He asked me what I wanted for Christmas,” Zwaschka said. “I’m just kidding, we thought that there was a potential penalty there, so that’s all I was asking and he clarified, so that was fair.”
Following the stoppage in play, the ‘Dogs picked up where they left off and played aggressively. Towards the end of the 28th minute, junior midfielder Alexis Campbell had a chance at a goal after a loose ball from a tackle on the right side of the Aggies’ box, but it was saved.
After the save, the ‘Dogs kept the pressure on the Aggies towards the end of the first half.
Following a throw-in from sophomore defender Katie Morris, Fresno State put together a series of good passes, crossing to the left side of the field and into the feet of senior forward Hailey Espinoza. Espinoza took a shot, but it was saved. Freshman midfielder Sam Paepen also had a look at a goal, but it was off target.
At the beginning of the second half, the ‘Dogs still kept the pressure on the Aggies putting together another opportunity at a goal. In the 15th minute junior forward Ciara Wilson brought the ball up the left side of the field, passing it to senior forward Kaelyn Miller for a shot, but like the rest, that also was saved.
As the game was winding down, Utah State put the pressure back onto Fresno State, but the defense held up and broke up any scoring opportunities which led to a draw at the final whistle.
Fresno State goalkeeper Ashton Conley earned her second shutout in four starts, producing three saves during the match.
Zwaschka thought they had many chances at a goal as a result of their defense and that it will be something they’ll have to work on.
“Everything starts with a rock-solid defense,” Zwaschka said. “I thought we were knocking on the door, so we’ll continue to work on finishing to make it a little bit more familiar.”
Sunday marked the Bulldogs first result against a ranked opponent since drawing 1-1 with No. 8 Pepperdine on Sept. 25, 2011.
Fresno State will continue its run of conference play in Laramie as the Bulldogs will face Wyoming on Thursday, Oct. 3. The match will begin at 3 p.m.
