The No. 8 Fresno State water polo team (11-7, 5-1) defeated the Azusa Pacific University Cougars (15-13, 2-4) 18-6 at the Fresno State Aquatics Center on Saturday, April 12.
Before Saturday’s match, the Bulldogs honored their five seniors: Brooke Ochoa, Abbey Simshauser, Ella Simone, Elisa Grim and Abigayle Armstrong. The graduating seniors have won the Golden Coast Conference (GCC) every year as players.
“It is cool to come into a winning program, but we do talk about our team this year, we haven’t won anything, so I don’t think that we’re kind of living in those past moments,” Simshauser said.
These seniors came in at an unprecedented time to a program that was starting to blossom into a perennial GCC contenders.
“[The Seniors] couldn’t come on recruiting trips,” said Head Coach Natalie Benson. “I think we had Zoom phone calls to recruit them, and they committed on a hope and a dream. I’m impressed with the group of seniors and their leadership and their commitment to everything we do.”
The Bulldog seniors reflected on their illustrious careers in the pool. With family, friends and alumni in attendance, the seniors gave it their all for one final ride. But even through the festivities, the Bulldogs still have business to attend to down the stretch as they head into the GCC tournament.
What Happened?
The Bulldogs blitzed the Cougars to start. A sprint win from Ochoa led to a goal from junior attacker Ashley Williams just 14 seconds in. The Bulldogs tallied two more goals in the first 2:57.
The Bulldogs would not let off the gas all game against the Cougars in their cleanest and most well-rounded games this season.
“We have to make sure that we’re able to set people up, make extra passes and trust other people to do their job,” Benson said “That’s gonna help us be successful in the end. So I think just encouraging them to not cut corners, treat every start of every quarter is a 0-0, game. We’re going to respect our opponent, respect ourselves and build good habits.”
Simshauser potted four more goals and Ochoa tallied her 200th career goal; she fired a shot off the cross bar, grabbed her own rebound and potted. It was fitting for the seniors to lead the charge one last time at home.
Sophomore goalie Ida Tully-Giles came up with big saves in key moments during powerplays for the Cougars.
Ochoa and junior attacker Megan Cranley executed a wonderful collapse low on the Cougars. Defense was not the priority for the bulldogs early, but as the season matured, the focus turned to it. Unrelenting pressure on defense created many quality chances for the Bulldogs. It was a gamble that Benson thinks paid off.
The second half was all Bulldogs again. Four goals from sophomore defender Sidney Strickland highlighted the depth of the Bulldogs.
“They make it look easy, but there’s a lot that goes into that with the preemptive vision, with moving into space, moving into space, presenting your hand and being available,” Benson said. “It makes my life easier too where our entire bench can play significant minutes.”
The builders of the program might be on their way out, but their impact will stay for a few more years.
Benson gave the seniors a final sprint in the fourth period. As the clock ticked closer to zero, one by one, the seniors left the pool to raucous applause from their teammates and the Red Wave.
“I honestly try not to think about the finality of it too much,” Benson said. “I think it is important to give them their curtain calls at the end of the game and having each one have their individual moment of being the center of attention.”
No one left the pool to a more boistrous cheer than Armstrong. She came up with big saves and a key takeaway on a Cougar stretch pass.
The Bulldog seniors reflected amongst themselves about their time with the Bulldogs, echoing sentiments about the hardwork they have put in to get to where they are today and giving advice to the new Bulldogs entering the program.
“Work hard and believe in yourself, [but also] find an identity, also outside of water polo,” Simone said. “you’re going to do your best when you feel good and you’re having fun and that you’re not putting your whole worth on one thing.”
What’s Next?
The Bulldogs will close out the regular season against the University of the Pacific Tigers on Friday, April 18, at the Douglass M. Eberhardt Aquatics Center. They will then defend their GCC title at Loyola Marymount University as they look for a fifth straight conference title.