Despite giving up an early goal, the Fresno State women's soccer team put a lot of pressure on No. 11 Texas A&M, before falling 4-2 in their season opener Friday. Senior Laura Dodd and junior Callie Hancockscored the Bulldogs first two goals of the 2011 season.

"I'm really pleased for the team," said Head Coach Brian Zwaschka. "I think that we're actually in pretty good shape, because we just played a very good A&M team in a very difficult environment. They're ranked 11th in the nation and the idea that we really played with them for large pockets of the game, and made them nervous when we kept answering with goals, is something to focus on."

The Aggies opened scoring in the seventh minute of play off a header from a corner kick.

A long pass from freshman Pernille Ingvaldsen, touched by Hancock, set up Dodd's game-tying response in the 35th minute.

"It was a classy goal by Dodd," noted Zwaschka. "We were pressing pretty hard, the energy level of the players was up, it looked very positive."

A&M's Leigh Edwards gave the Aggies back the lead going into the half after lifting the ball into left side of the net with under five minutes to play.

It would be four minutes after the Aggies took a 3-1 lead, that Hancock received a pass from Dodd and powered through her defender, one-on-one, to squeeze in the her first goal of the year and bring the `Dogs within one. But an unassisted goal from Allie Bailey, her second of the day, closed out scoring and stretched the Aggies lead to two.

Hancock finished with one goal in five shots (four on goal) and an assist. Dodd was perfect, scoring her first goal of the season with her only shot of the match.

Bailey led the Aggies (1-0-0) with two goals in four shots.

Fresno State (0-1-0) continues play in the lone star state this coming Sunday at 8:30 a.m. PST against the University of Texas, San Antonio. This will be the first meeting of these two teams. UTSA fell to No. 17 UC Irvine, 2-1, earlier Friday.

"Recovery is on our minds and making sure that the team focuses on all the positive things we just did against a really good team," said Zwaschka of the short break between matches. "Everybody was really disappointed that we lost, but I think the more they sit back and take in how the game flowed, they will start to recall how much positive stuff happened. And that's where we need to be. In a place that we recognize we're building something."

"We Are Your Team!" You can always stay connected with Fresno State Athletics on Facebook (fresnostateathletics) and Twitter (@FSAthletics)

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