Weekend doubleheader may be last gasp for men's soccer

By John Mchugh

The Fresno State men’s soccer team needs a winning weekend if it has any chance of making the postseason.

The Bulldogs face No. 11 Oregon State Friday at 7 p.m. and No. 15 Washington on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium in their final home matches of the season. Fresno State will honor perhaps its last four seniors—Niño Rivas, Mat Herold, Ernie Vega and Jeremiah LeRoy—before Sunday’s game against the Huskies.

The future of the men’s soccer program is in doubt, as the team needs to raise $2.7 million to keep the program going. The Washington match on Sunday could be Fresno State’s last-ever home game.

“ Up there, Oregon State and Washington intimidated us,” Fresno State men’s soccer coach Dave Chesler said. “But like last year, we came back here and beat both of them.”

Fresno State is 5-11 overall and 2-5 in the Pac-10 and is looking to beat ranked opponents for the first time since Oct. 1998.

“ I would be disappointed in our performance, if we don’t beat them both,” Chesler said. “We’ve got a good amount of talent and we play well as a team.”

Following Stanford's two losses last weekend, Fresno State can finish no worse than fifth in the Pac-10, though the Bulldogs are hoping to win their final three games of the season.

“ The team is comfortable with where they are,” Chesler said. “We’re competitors, and we battle hard. I believe we can do it. There’s no mystique to any of the teams, and there isn’t a huge gap in ability. There is still a definite chance of qualification [for the NCAA tournament].”

Oregon State is 12-4, 6-1 in conference play, and freshman forward Robbie Findley was named the Pac-10 men's soccer player of the week. His 13 goals and 18 assists will make him a danger to Fresno State.

“ Oregon State is very physical,” Chesler said. “A lot of people complain about them because they’re very difficult to play against and very effective.”

No. 15 Washington (10-3-2, 3-3-1) is also battling for an NCAA-tournament berth and will bring a different style of soccer to Bulldog Stadium.

“ Washington plays some good soccer, though they’re not especially dangerous,” Chesler said.

Fresno State has been successful record at Bulldog Stadium with a 3-2 record and is looking for revenge over Washington and Oregon State following its losses on the road.

“ We’re playing very well, and I think the guys have smoothed over the rough edges about everything we’re going through and we’re just playing,” Chesler said. “We still need to put the ball in the back of the net, that’s the thing I really worry about.”