Women's soccer wins three straight in WAC

By Kim Anderson

The Fresno State women’s soccer team, now 3-2-0 in WAC play, stomped on the San Jose State Spartans in a 7-1 victory Friday night at Bulldog Stadium.

The first Bulldogs goal came in the eighth minute off the head of sophomore forward Katri Nokso-Koivisto, assisted by sophomore midfielder Barbara Davis.

After a series of shots, senior midfielder Erin Sayegusa hooked up with Nokso-Koivisto to score the second goal of the game, which was punched into the net by the Spartans goaltender on a rebound.

By the half, the Bulldogs had outshot the Spartans 10-2 and held a 2-0 lead.

“ They are a very good team,” Fresno State coach Stacy Welp said, “A lot better than their record shows.”

To start off the second half, sophomore forward Kortney Lewis, who took a total of six shots, found her way to the net and fired a shot past the Spartans keeper.

Seconds later, Lewis returned with another shot which was tipped over the net by the Spartans goaltender, giving the Bulldogs the first of four second-half corner kicks.

Defensively, the Bulldogs stayed strong and allowed the Spartans only five shots on goal.

With about 38 minutes remaining, Sayegusa received a pass from freshman defender/midfielder Erika Sugano and slammed the ball into the net.

Less than a minute later, Nokso-Koivisto found an open net to put the Bulldogs up 5-0.

“ The early goal definitely helped set the mood,” sophomore midfielder/forward Koleen Anderson said. “It helped take the pressure off of our shoulders.”

A total of seven corner kicks were taken by the Bulldogs, who allowed the Spartans only two.

Lewis connected with Nokso-Koivisto with less than 25 minutes left in the game to score the only Bulldogs goal to come by way of a corner kick.

The Bulldogs dominated the game, controlling the ball and playing aggressively committing a total of 14 fouls.

Anderson scored the last Fresno State goal of the night when she received a pass from freshman for-ward/midfielder Antonea Lugo and went one on one with the Spartans goalkeeper to put the Bulldogs up 7-0.

In the second half, the Bulldogs broke their record of 27 shots on goal in a game and set a new record of 34 shots.

With less than four minutes remaining, the Spartans were given a penalty kick and junior midfielder/defender Heather Dickinson lofted the ball past the keeper to put the Spartans on the board.

With only three games remaining in WAC play, Welp said her team needs to continue to be consistent, which is key to finishing the season undefeated.

Freshman goalkeeper Jeannette Paine saw 70 minutes of playing time, making two saves, while sophomore keeper Chelsea Mays played about 19 minutes.

The Bulldogs will travel to Honolulu for their next game against Hawaii on Friday at 7 p.m.