The No. 2-seed Fresno State water polo team defeated the No. 3-seed San Diego State Aztecs 16-15 in the semifinals of the Golden Coast Conference (GCC) Championship.
It took contributions from both the Bulldogs’ seniors and freshmen to deliver the semifinal win.
After Fresno State jumped out to a five-goal lead in the first period, San Diego State clawed back, tying the game multiple times. While the Bulldogs never trailed, the Aztecs forced the Bulldogs into uncomfortable situations.
“That San Diego State team is a really good team,” said Head Coach Natalie Benson. “They’ve performed really well throughout the season. They’ve been competitive with everybody they played throughout the season.”
The Bulldogs All-GCC first team goalie, Katelyn Mobley, struggled early, stopping just three shots on 13 shot attempts. Despite the struggles, she came up big in the fourth period to help seal the victory for the ‘Dogs.
Her ninth and final save of the game secured the win for the ‘Dogs.
Charley Stephens, one of the Bulldogs GCC All-freshman team selections, came up big, drawing an exclusion that led the ‘Dogs to score the game-winning goal.
Benson chalked up the poise of her freshman to her attitude and work ethic.
“[Stephens] is elite,” Benson said. “She has sincere faith in herself. She’s not just saying it and fake-it-until-you-make-it. She believes in herself.”
While the ‘Dogs were outscored 9-4 during the second and third periods, the senior leadership that weathered the storm and kept the Bulldogs afloat during the Aztecs’ siege.
Attackers Kira Anderson and Hailey Andress scored three of the team’s final four goals.
Late in the fourth period, Stephens drew an exclusion that led to some chaos as Aztecs’ Megan Holcomb refused to leave the field of play.
Noa Markovsky took the penalty shot but narrowly missed, but potted the game-winning goal on the ensuing 6-on-5 opportunity.
Through all the struggles the Bulldogs faced, Benson is looking forward to Championship Sunday and the opportunity to bring a fifth GCC Title to the Valley.
“There’s a lot of lessons I’ve learned from being an Olympic athlete; one of them is the semifinal is the hardest game to play,” Benson said.
The ‘Dogs will play for a GCC Title for the sixth consecutive season. They will play the No. 1 seed Loyola Marymount Lions for the third consecutive season for the GCC Title.
