Heading Down the Final Stretch
Oct. 25, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - With a bottle neck at the top two spots of the Western Athletic Conference, the Fresno State women's soccer team will play arguably its most important matches this weekend leading into the conference tournament. The Bulldogs are in a three-way tie for second with Hawai'i and San Jose State and face league leader Utah State in the regular season finale this Sunday, Oct. 30.
About Nevada (3-14, 1-4 WAC)
The Wolf Pack are members of the Western Athletic Conference. Head Coach Dr. Melissa Price is in her second year with the program and has a 10-23-3 overall record. Key players to watch are Kori Disarufino and Chrisalyn Fonte who lead the team with six and five points respectively. Disarufino leads the team with three goals this season.
About Utah State (12-4-1, 4-1 WAC)
The Aggies are a member of the Western Athletic Conference. Head Coach Heather Cairns is in her ninth year with the program and boasts an 87-74-18 overall record. Key player to watch is Shantel Flanary. The senior has nine goals this year with four assists to lead the team in points (22). She sits atop the WAC in points, goals and goals per game (0.56).
In for a Dog Fight
Fresno State has not lost a match to Nevada in five years, owning an eight match unbeaten streak against the Aggies. They lead the series 11-1-2 all-time and are 1-0-1 under Head Coach Brian Zwaschka. The last time the programs met, Nevada scored five minutes into the contest. Fresno State scored the equalizing goal with one second remaning in the first half. Both teams played equal through the second half and two overtimes to earn the 1-1 tie.
Finishing Strong
The Bulldogs are 6-2-2 all-time against Utah State. Zwaschka has a 2-1 record against the Aggies. The last time the programs met was in the semifinals of the WAC Tournament. Fresno State shutout the Aggies (1-0) to advance to the championship match.
Bulldogs vs. The WAC
74-53-18 all-time against Western Athletic Conference opponents, the Bulldogs are 13-9-4 under Head Coach Brian Zwaschka. Fresno State has earned 49 shutouts against WAC opponents over the past 10 seasons, with 43 ending in wins. Six of the shutout wins have been against Nevada, two against Utah State.
No Tricks, Just Skill
Junior Callie Hancock has scored seven of the Bulldogs last eight goals, including a hat trick against CSU Bakersfield on Oct. 2. She was named WAC Offensive Player of the Week for her three goals in two conference matches (Oct. 21 & Oct. 23), marking the first conference honor of her career. Hancock is ranked nationally for goals per game (27th) and points per game (43rd). She leads the WAC in points (25), points per game (1.47), goals (11) and goals per game (0.65).
Six-Peat
With junior Callie Hancock receiving WAC Offensive Player of the Week honors (Oct. 24), the Bulldogs set a program record for the most offensive weekly honors in single season. The 'Dogs have been named WAC Players of the Week six times this year, tying a program record for WAC weekly honors set back in 2006.
"We Are Your Team!" Fresno State is hosting the 2011 Western Athletic Conference Tournament Nov. 3-4, & 6 on its new Soccer and Lacrosse Field. Be there to witness the Bulldogs defend their WAC title at home. Ticket information and more are available at WACSports.com. You can stay connected with Fresno State Athletics on Facebook (fresnostateathletics) and Twitter (@FSAthletics).
Trending Videos
Headlines
- Recruiting Roundup: November 18-24
- Tracking Division I Coaching Changes
- Women's DI Tournament Round Two Preview
- ECNL Girls N. Atlantic Players to Watch
- Men's NCAA Tournament Region 4 Preview
- Commitments: Moving Back to Michigan
- Top Pro Prospects in Men's First Round
- Men's NCAA Tournament Region 3 Preview
- Club Soccer Standouts: November 15-17
- Women's Division I NCAA Tournament Bracket