FRESNO, Calif. – To prepare yourself, you might as well play the best. Fresno State did just that on Saturday evening, hosting defending national champion and preseason No. 1 UCLA. Against one of the nation's most prolific offenses, the Bulldogs were defeated 4-0, being outshot 19-5 at Bulldog Soccer Stadium in front of a crowd of 1,061.
HOW IT HAPPENED
UCLA's two first half goals came from United Soccer Coaches Women's Soccer Players to Watch, midfielders Sunshine Fontes and Ally Lemos. Fontes opened the scoring in the fifth minute following a clearance that only got 25 yards out from the middle of goal. The All-Region and All-Pac 12 striker went low to right through traffic.
The UCLA attack continued and forced Valentina Vivas into three saves during the next 15 minutes. Those stops allowed Ciara Wilson a chance in the 20th minute to nearly level the match. Free on goal with a defender on her heels, the sophomore just missed her attempt to the left. Lemos doubled the Bruins' advantage 10 minutes later, again on a ball that popped out to her that the 'Dogs had no time to close out on.
Megan Galvan attempted to halve the deficit in the final minute of the half but Neeku Purcell was up to the task, making her first stop of the match.
Less than three minutes into the second half, UCLA's America Fias capitalized on a Bulldog miscue in the back to make it 3-0. Fontes added the final goal of the match with 14 minutes to play, getting on the end of a centering cross from Quincy McMahon on a quick break down the left flank.
SCORING SUMMARY
4:18 – UCLA – Sunshine Fontes
30:28 – UCLA – Ally Lemos
47:29 – UCLA – America Frias
75:48 – UCLA – Sunshine Fontes (Quincy McMahon)
NOTES
UCLA was the third defending national champion that Fresno State has played in an exhibition since 2018, and second that the Bulldogs have hosted (at Stanford, vs. Santa Clara, vs. UCLA).
Fresno State has been defeated in each match by four goals.
Ashton Conley had a team-high five saves while Valentina Vivas had four.
Megan Galvan had the Bulldogs' two shots on goal.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will open its season on Thursday night against Cal Poly. Kickoff at Bulldog Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased HERE or by calling 559-278-DOGS.