STOCKTON, Calif. - The No. 7 Fresno State water polo team defeated No. 12 Pacific on the road on Saturday afternoon, 10-7. The Bulldogs (12-7) extend their winning streak to eight-straight games and improve to 5-0 in Golden Coast Conference play.
The Bulldogs had a .455 shooting percentage, against Pacific's .212. The Bulldogs were also 3-of-5 in scoring on their powerplay attempts, taking advantage of their extra-player opportunities in the win.
Cynthia Rosa and Hailey Andress paired to lead the team in scoring with three goals apiece. Rosa recorded her first hat trick of the season. Brooke Ochoa, Kaitlin Howarth, Isabella Sonkoly and Elisa Grim added one goal each in the win. Rosa was 4-0 in sprints for the Bulldogs.
In the cage, Paula Nieto Jasny played all 32 minutes and recorded seven saves and one steal.
How it happened
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead, and didn't look back as they had a 4-1 lead through the first quarter. Rosa scored two of her three goals in the opening period. UOP scored their first with 1:21 left in the first quarter.
Scoring slowed in the second quarter with just three goals total recorded, two to the Bulldogs. Rosa and Howarth extended the Bulldog lead to 6-1 before Pacific cut the deficit to four mid-way through the quarter. Fresno State led 6-2 at the half.
UOP outscored Fresno State 3-2 in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs' early lead provided some security. Andress scored back-to-back goals for the 'Dogs in the quarter as Fresno State took a 8-5 lead into the final period.
Ochoa got on the board to start the fourth quarter and extend the Bulldog lead to four. It was a defensive battle until the mid-way mark of the quarter when Pacific would score again and bring the lead back down to three. Nieto Jasny came up with a big save on a breakaway attempt by the Tigers, and Grim responded with a quick dump of her own for Fresno State's final goal of the game. UOP would score another as Nieto Jasny was excluded, but the defenses were the difference makers in the final minute as the clock wound down to a Fresno State victory.
Up Next
The Bulldogs have a quick turnaround as they travel to No. 20 San Jose State (12-12, 0-1 MPSF) for a meeting tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. PT. Live stats are available here.
Fresno State will honor its senior class next Saturday, April 1 as the 'Dogs close out their regular season home slate against LMU. Admission to the Aquatics Center is free.