FRESNO STATE (3-1-1) vs. CSU BAKERSFIELD (1-5-0)

Sept. 8, 2024 • 7 p.m. PT • Fresno, Calif. (Bulldog Soccer Stadium)

COVERAGE

Stream: Mountain West Network

Live Stats: Bulldogslive.com

X (Twitter): @FresnoStateWSOC

FRESNO, Calif. — Fresno State hosts CSU Bakersfield on Sunday night at Bulldog Soccer Stadium, the Bulldogs' last home match until Sept. 26.

Fresno State will be at Oregon State and Pepperdine the following two weeks before beginning conference play against Boise State.

QUICK LOOK

Despite seeing its unbeaten streak end last time out, Fresno State has already earned three wins in the nonconference, its most since 2019.

Fresno State started the season without a loss in its first four games of a season for just the second time in program history (2006, 2024).

Fresno State is 1-1-1 in matches on Sunday this year.

The Bulldogs are 3-0-0 in its first match during a week, a

Transfer goalkeeper Shivani Battaglia ranks No. 1 in the Mountain West in saves (18), third in save percentage (.857) and fourth in shutouts (2).

All five Fresno State goals this season have come from a different Bulldog.

Senior Kaelyn Miller and junior Ciara Wilson lead the team with three points apiece.

STARTING STRONG

Fresno State is 3-1-1 through its first five matches of the season. It is the first time since 2019 that the Bulldogs have posted at least three wins in the nonconference.

Fresno State was 4-2-1 in the nonconference in 2019. That was the second-most nonconference wins during the last decade.

THE OLIMPICO

One of the rarest goals you'll see, a direct strike from a corner, Fresno State has seen two in the last year, both from the left stick. Last year, it was current junior Laura Mas with a late equalizer at Nevada. Last week, it was senior Averee Campos who scored one in the 81st minute against Montana, the eventual game-winner.

In both cases, it was the first goal of each player's career.

LIMITING OPPONENTS IN THE BACK

Fresno State has allowed three goals through five games. It is the second-fewest goals allowed in the Mountain West thus far.

249 Division I teams currently average more than the 9.4 shots per game that the Bulldogs are allowing per game.

KEEPING THINGS CLEAN

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 nod, and it paid off. The junior has two clean sheets and 18 saves through five matches.

She ranks No. 1 in the Mountain West in saves (18), third in save percentage (.857) and fourth in shutouts (2).

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 four newcomers starting this season, midfielder Sam Paepen is the youngest. The freshman from Tessenderlo, Belgium was one of three players to play the full 90 minutes in the season opener, and she has since started each match and has been a significant piece in the middle of the field.

Paepen scored the first goal of her career on Sept. 29 versus Montana.

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.

SERIES HISTORY

Fresno State is 9-3-2 all-time against CSU Bakersfield.

The Bulldogs are 6-1-1 in Fresno in the series.

The 'Dogs have won the last two in the series (2-1 in 2023; 1-0 in 2021). Both matches were played in Bakersfield.

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.

Fresno State Athletics