Fresno State (1-0-0) vs. Weber State (0-0-2)
Aug. 22, 2024 • 7 p.m. PT • Fresno, Calif. (Bulldog Soccer Stadium)
COVERAGE
Live Stats: Bulldogslive.com
X (Twitter): @FresnoStateWSOC
Fresno State (1-0-0) at UCSB (0-1-0)
Aug. 25, 2024 • 12 p.m. PT • Santa Barbara, Calif. (Harder Stadium)
COVERAGE
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Bulldogslive.com
X (Twitter): @FresnoStateWSOC
FRESNO, Calif. — Following its season-opening win on Sunday at Cal Poly, Fresno State returns home to face Weber State on Thursday at 7 p.m. PT at Bulldog Soccer Stadium. Following Thursday's contest, the Bulldogs will return to the coast to face UCSB on Sunday at noon at Harder Stadium.
Thursday will be the first of four matches at Bulldog Soccer Stadium during the next three weeks as the 'Dogs will play four of their next five in Fresno.
1 FOR 1
Fresno State opened the season on Sunday with a 1-0 win at Cal Poly. Senior center back Jordan Lau headed in a rebound off the crossbar in the eighth minute to score the eventual game-winner.
Fresno State last won its season opener during a fall season in 2018 (Aug. 17, 2018 at Montana; 1-0).
That also marked the last time the Bulldogs shut out an opponent in a season opener.
The win was the Bulldogs' first against Cal Poly since Sept. 23, 2012 (2-1), and their first in San Luis Obispo since Sept. 23, 2011 (3-2 OT).
USING HER HEAD
50 games. 50 starts. No goals. Center backs aren't meant to be goal scorers but Jordan Lau did come to Fresno State with goals in high school, primarily off set pieces. In the season opener at Cal Poly, the senior from Honolulu, Hawai'i scored the first of her career in her 51st start. And it came on a set piece.
Lau is the first Bulldog center back to score a goal since her former teammate Robyn McCarthy netted the equalizer in a 2-1 win over San Diego State on March 14, 2021.
CLEAN SHEET
Heading into the season, a big question was who was going to replace Valentina Vivas who had been in goal for the Bulldogs since 2019. Central Michigan transfer Shivani Battaglia got the call in the season opener keeping Cal Poly off the board, recording two saves.
Battaglia is the first Bulldog keeper to earn a shutout in their debut in a season opener since Kaity Revel on Aug. 31, 2007 (vs. UC Irvine, 3-0).
BELGIAN IN THE MIDDLE
With three newcomers in the starting XI in Sunday's opener, midfielder Sam Paepen was the youngest. The freshman from Tessenderlo, Belgium was one of three players to play the full 90 minutes, while also registering a team-high two shots on target.
One freshman has been in the Bulldogs' starting XI for each of the previous five season openers. Current right back Katie Morris was the last since 2023.
Paepen came to Fresno after being a member of the youth Belgian National Team at U16 and U17 levels.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Fresno State returns 17 players from last year's squad which reached the Mountain West tournament.
That returning group includes eight starters.
Thirteen newcomers entered the fold this offseason. That group includes three Division I transfers and 10 freshmen.
Eleven Bulldogs call the Central Valley home. Five of those 11 were added this summer.
Six Bulldogs are from outside of the United States--Australia (1), Belgium (2), Canada (1), France (1), Spain (1).
SERIES HISTORY - WEBER STATE
Fresno State is 2-0-0 all-time against Weber State.
The Bulldogs won the initial meeting between the programs 7-0 in Fresno on Sept. 17, 2000.
After not playing for 19 years, the Bulldogs defeated the Wildcats 2-0 on Sept. 15, 2019 in Ogden, Utah.
SERIES HISTORY - WEBER STATE
Fresno State is 7-7-2 all-time against UCSB.
Since 2021, the program's have split the series 1-1-1.
The two sides drew 0-0 last season in Fresno (Aug. 24, 2023).
The Bulldogs are 3-4-0 all-time in Santa Barbara with their last road win coming on Sept. 10, 2017 (2-1).
TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets are available at $52 for adults, and $38 for seniors and youth. Family four packs are $39.25 per ticket. Single match tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for seniors and youth. Fans can purchase tickets online HERE or by calling 559-278-DOGS.
Single match parking is $5 in the Red Lot and can be purchased on game day as you enter the Red Lot (Cash/CC accepted).
Parking opens two hours prior to kickoff on game days. Bulldog Soccer Stadium gates open one hour prior to kickoff.