Unfriendly Confines

After losing at home 5-0 to UCLA last week, the Bulldogs continue their homestand this weekend looking to get their first Pac-10 Conference victory

By John McHugh

The Fresno State men’s soccer team has slipped to 0-3 in the Pac-10 and coach Dave Chesler has called for more passion and desire in this weekend’s games.

The Bulldogs host Stanford on Friday at 7 p.m. and California at 3 p.m. Sunday at Bulldog Stadium.

Fresno State coach Dave Chesler had a distinct focus and determination to change the Bulldogs’ losing ways, following his team’s 0-3 start to the in the conference and the Bulldogs’ resounding 5-0 loss against UCLA on Sunday.

“ It’s a choice of how you respond to these things,” Chesler said. “[The players] need to make a decision of whether they’re going to finish the season outright or whether they’re going to continue in the same vein as they have for the past couple of games.”

It is this current poor form which has led to the Bulldogs conceding 11 goals without scoring in the last three games. Their record has fallen to 3-8 overall. Coaches and players alike have blamed this bad spell on the lack of desire and passion within the team.

“ We need intensity and focus,” Chesler said.

Freshman defender Corey Sipos said, “We lacked passion and intensity,” and sophomore forward Andrew Gregorio said, “We need to play with a lot of heart.”

Fresno State has conceded a total of 23 goals in 11 games this season and a lack of experience and communication could be to blame for poor defensive performance.

“ There was a lack of communication between the defense [against UCLA], we didn’t work together,” Sipos said. “If we work hard, we’ve got a good chance of beating anyone.”

The Bulldogs face Stanford, which has struggled this season with a 2-8-2 record although it was NCAA national runner-up last year.

“ Stanford is waiting to explode,” Chesler said. “They have just as good a team as last year. I think they’re very talented and have much of the same line-up.”

Stanford is hoping to build from the continued form of junior goalkeeper Robby Fulton. Fulton has a lifetime 0.52 goals against average, allowing just 15 goals in over 2,500 minutes.

“ I’m hoping [Fresno State] can come out with two wins this weekend,” Gregorio said. “Stanford is not playing too well, so hopefully that’s a winnable game for us.”

Chesler agreed the Stanford game is winnable, but he warned of the Cardinal’s potential.

“ [Stanford] is much like us because they’re waiting to spring on somebody, so it has the potential to be that kind of game,” Chesler said.

Fresno State finishes the weekend hosting Cal on Sunday at 3 p.m.

“ California is a good team who are solid in all areas, so it will be a difficult game,” Chesler said.

Cal is 5-5-2 overall and 1-1-1 in the Pac-10, the Golden Bears’ Carl Acosta is the main danger for the Bulldogs following his 7 goals this season.

“ It was kind of depressing that we lost [against UCLA], Gregorio said. “We need to keep the ball to help build self-confidence within ourselves. If we work hard we can win games, we’ve got the team to do it.”