The Fresno State women’s water polo team defeated the Santa Clara University Broncos 24-8 at the Sullivan Aquatics Center on Saturday, March 8. This victory gives the Bulldogs a 2-0 start in Golden Coast Conference play.
Junior attacker Hailey Andress and senior utility player Brooke Ochoa led the charge for the Bulldogs. Andress and Ochoa combined for 13 of the 24 Bulldog goals. Andress’ seven goals mark a new program record.
“I think there were some things that we just weren’t really too focused on today [and we were] not really super dialed in. It wasn’t the kind of game I wanted to have,” said Head Coach Natalie Benson.
Benson was displeased with the lackluster effort the Bulldogs had in the first half. 10 turnovers gave the Broncos extra possessions to keep the score tight and uncomfortable for Bulldog fans.
What Happened?
The Bulldogs opened up on the Broncos with a blitzkrieg attack, scoring four goals on four shots. Andress deposited three of the four Bulldog goals to gain an early 4-1 lead.
It was all Andress and Ochoa in the first 3:30. After a challenging game at the University of California, Los Angeles, it was the start the Bulldogs wanted.
After Ochoa opened the scoring for the Bulldogs, Andress came in with three straight goals in 1:25. However, the Broncos would not go quiet.
Four straight turnovers by the Bulldogs allowed the Broncos to capitalize and shrink the Bulldogs’ advantage. After the first quarter, the Bulldogs led 5-3.
The lack of discipline was something that concerned Benson. With high expectations for the Bulldogs this season, she hopes to see her team bounce back.
“[It is] something that’s completely unacceptable,” Benson said. “We [have] to make sure that we do what we can to be prepared for the big games when they matter. That’s a habit you have to work on..”
The second quarter was déjà vu for the Bulldogs. Another quick start gave the Bulldogs an 8-3 lead, but offensive fouls, turnovers, some weak goals surrendered, and a 3:51 scoring drought let the Broncos hang around.
Andress and Ochoa continued their monster game, potting two more goals each to give the Bulldogs breathing room.
An x-factor that the Bulldogs relied on was winning the opening sprint. Being able to get an extra possession and set the offensive tone is what the Bulldogs want to excel at. Utilizing an extra possession was a needed momentum boost for the Bulldogs.
This momentum helped the Bulldog defense settle in after the scoring outburst, not allowing the Broncos to register a shot in the final 2:14.
The Bulldogs took a 12-6 lead into halftime. While the score indicated a Bulldog beatdown, Benson was displeased with the lack of discipline the Bulldogs showed.
“If you drop into something at 60%, you’re gonna get a 60% result,” Benson said. “If you do something 100%, you get 100% result.”
Coming out of the break, the Bulldogs continued their unrelenting pressure on the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs forced seven turnovers in the third quarter and only allowed the Broncos to have two shots on goal.
Andress and Ochoa continued to impose their will on the Broncos. Their leadership and willpower pushed the Bulldogs over the edge and let the Bulldogs pull away from the Broncos. Goalies Abigayle Armstrong and Islay Martin-Hill and stout defense from the Bulldogs kept the Broncos out of the net for the final 3:16 of the third quarter and shut out the Broncos in the fourth quarter.
“I have tremendous confidence in these girls,” Benson said. “That’s why it’s so frustrating if they think they can cut a corner, [then] that’s what they’re doing. And so now it’s making sure that we just have a certain standard of play every single time we play.”
What’s next?
Following her performance against Santa Clara, Ochoa was named Golden Coast Conference Player of the Week for the second time this season.
Fresno State’s road wins against Santa Clara and the No. 24 California Baptist University the following week has the team 3-0 in Golden Coast Conference Play. Fe
The Bulldogs return home to host No. 13 Loyola Marymount University on Saturday, March 22. Admission is free.