Fresno State (5-8-6, 4-4-3 MW) vs. Colorado State (11-5-3, 6-3-2 MW)
Date: Oct. 29, 2023
Time: 1 p.m. PT
Location: Laramie, Wyo. (Madrid Sports Complex)
Stream: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: Bulldogslive.com
X (Twitter): @FresnoStateWSOC
FRESNO, Calif. — Fresno State heads into Sunday's Mountain West quarterfinal looking to extend its winning streak. The Bulldogs will be making their seventh appearance in the tournament, and meet Colorado State for the second time.
2019 REBOOT
The seeds may be different, but the path is the same. In 2019, Fresno State faced Colorado State in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Championship. San Diego State was awaiting the winner. In 2022, the Bulldogs will meet the Rams in the quarters. The Aztecs will await the winner.
A six seed in 2019, Fresno State upset the higher seeded Rams 3-1 in penalty kicks after 110 scoreless minutes. The Bulldogs lost their semifinal matchup with the Aztecs, 3-2.
A LATE SEASON PUSH
With three wins in the last eight days of the season, Fresno State went from out of the mix for the Mountain West tournament to playing in it as the No. 5 seed.
Through their first five conference games, the Bulldogs had three points. They went on to win four of their last six to finish with 15 points.
WINNING UNDER PRESSURE
Since 2017, Fresno State has turned it on at the right time of the year to qualify for the Mountain West tournament, racking up double digit points in its last six matches of the 10-game conference season. That trend continued this year with the 'Dogs picking up 12 points in their last six matches to surge into the tournament.
In 2017, the Bulldogs accumulated 13 points in their last six matches to be the sixth seed. In 2018, it was 14 points to be the fifth seed. In 2019, it was 10 points to be the fifth seed.
OPENING THE FLOODGATES
Struggling to find the back of the net for much of the season, Fresno State exploded for 12 goals in its final three matches, defeating Air Force 4-2 on the road before returning home to shutout Colorado College 5-0 and San Jose State 3-0.
Fresno State's five goals was its most in a game since Oct. 3, 2021 (5-0 vs. Wyoming).
The Bulldogs had not scored 12 goals in a two-match stretch since Sept. 3-10, 2003 when they scored 15.
JUST GET A LEAD
When Fresno State has gotten a lead this season, the Bulldogs have more likely than not come away with a victory. The 'Dogs are 5-1-0 on the year holding a lead at any point in a match.
THE MAGIC NUMBER
Two is the magic number of the Bulldogs this year. Fresno State is 5-0-0 this season when scoring at least two goals in a match. When the 'Dogs have not scored at least two goals they are 0-8-6.
THE FIRST 45
In 11 of their 19 games, the Bulldogs have either led or have been tied at the half. The result has been positive in 10 of those matches with the 'Dogs going 4-1-6.
IT HAPPENED AGAIN
Following her third straight two-goal game, Kaelyn Miller was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week on Saturday morning.
In a win-and-in match for a spot in the Mountain West tournament for Fresno State, Miller left no doubt that the Bulldogs would be there, scoring the match's first two goals in a 3-0 win over San Jose State on Thursday evening. Her opening goal in the 15th minute was all that was needed. It was her third game-winner in as many matches.
With her seventh and eighth goal of the season, Miller became the conference leader in goals scored in conference matches.
Miller has been key in the Bulldogs' finishing fifth in the Mountain West standings and qualifying for the tournament. The Bulldogs are 4-2-0 in their last six matches with the striker tallying eight goals with four game-winners.
THE RETURN OF MILLER TIME
Kaelyn Miller has made it a habit of coming up clutch for Fresno State in conference play during tournament pushes. As a freshman in 2021, she scored six goals during MW play, and added a seventh in the quarterfinals. This year, she has eight as well since returning from an injury that forced her to miss all but one nonconference match, though she was still not 100 percent until October.
In her three seasons in Fresno, Miller has scored eight game-winners, all eight have come against Mountain West opponents.
17 of Miller's 18 career goals have come in against Mountain West foes.
The junior's 18 career goals ranks No. 10 in program history.
MORE ON MILLER from '23
In 11 conference matches, Kaelyn Miller's eight goals led the league, yet she did it in the final six matches. Her 17 points were tied for the most in the conference.
Half of Miller's goals have been game-winners.
Miller's 30 shots rank fourth-most in those 10 games with 17 of those shots finding the target.
LEVEL UP
With three points through 12 matches,
Ciara Wilson's play has leveled up and its translated into wins for the 'Dogs. The sophomore recorded three points in three straight games, all wins for the 'Dogs (missed Utah State and Boise State).
Fresno State outscored its opponents 11-2 in the three consecutive matches that Wilson recorded at least three points.
Wilson has assisted in her last four matches, all wins. Her six assists in all matches leads the Mountain West and is the ninth-most in a season in program history.
COLOMBIAN SHOT STOPPER
The stretch of draws early in conference play was aided by the goalkeeping of fifth-year senior Valentina Vivas. In those three games, Vivas allowed one goal while facing 43 shots. She has produced 15 saves.
She notched her third shutout of the season in a 2-0 win over Wyoming.
She added her fourth shutout on Senior Night (3-0 vs. San Jose State). It is the most in a season by a Bulldog keeper since Katie DeVault in 2013 (5).
FIVE YEARS OF VV
In her fifth and final season, Valentina Vivas has put together quite the career as a Bulldog playing in 69 matches with 66 starts.
Vivas' 1.15 goals against average ranks No. 4 in program history.
Vivas' 157 saves ranks No. 6. She is four saves shy of No. 5 on the list.
Vivas' five career shutouts are tied for No. 8 on the program's all-time list, one back of No. 6. She has also been a part of 15 combined shutouts.