Broncos given the skunk treatment

By Darrell Copeland III
The Collegian

It was another Western Athletic Conference game and another WAC win for the Fresno State soccer team. Nothing too surprising there.

A goal in the 33rd minute and a goal in the 89th minute secured a 2-0 victory for the Bulldogs (9-5-1) against Boise State (6-7-1), with only four WAC games remaining in the regular season.

Fresno State’s eighth shutout of the season was preserved thanks to a stellar Bulldogs defense and a couple of outstanding saves by Fresno State goalie Angie Larsen, the conferences leader in saves.

Fresno State’s Cortney Sobrero, who scored the game’s second goal, said the Bulldogs look are looking at things in the big picture, with the Western Athletic Conference tournament looming in early November.

“We have another weekend that will get us ready for that WAC tournament,” Sobrero said. “Every game is preparation for that WAC tournament.”

With a victory over the Broncos on cruise control, it was an official, surprisingly, that made the biggest waves in the game.

In fact, things went so smooth for the Bulldogs that comedic relief from head official Ali Hancock stole the show for those sitting within ears reach.

Following a foul on a battle for control of the ball early in the game, the Broncos were awarded a free kick. Because Boise State had possession of the ball at the time of the foul, Hancock awarded the Broncos the free kick, which in turn was questioned by Fresno State coach Steve Springthorpe.

That is where the start of the comedic banter between Springthorpe and Hancock began.

“Why do they have the ball,” Springthorpe said.

“Because they had the ball when I stopped it for injury,” Hancock said. “It’s very simple.”

A seemingly slightly offended Springthorpe responded with, “I was just asking.”

And then, the line of the day: “OK, you can also e-mail me at … dot com,” Hancock said.

Comment on this story in the Sports forum >>