SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The No. 8 Fresno State water polo team completed its undefeated season in conference play with a 17-4 win in the regular season finale at Santa Clara on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs earned their third-straight Golden Coast Conference regular season title, and completed their second-straight undefeated season in league play.
Fresno State moves to 15-8 overall and 7-0 in GCC play.
The Bulldogs had 11 goal-scorers in the win, led by senior Jillian Schultz with four goals. Kelsey McKenney added three and Ashley Williams had two. Hailey Andress, Cynthia Rosa, Brooke Ochoa, Ella Simone, Alice Johnson, Megan Cranley, Aryanah Tellez, and Susanna Martinez added one apiece.
How it happened
Fresno State got out to an early 4-0 lead, highlighted by two by Schultz. The senior completed her hat trick in the first quarter, scoring with 45 seconds left in the opening period. The Bulldogs led 5-1 at the end of the first and extended the lead to 8-1 at the half.
Santa Clara netted its second goal of the game at the 5:30 mark of the third quarter, but the Bulldogs answered back with three in a row to give Fresno State a 10-goal advantage, 12-2.
Going into the final period, Fresno State had a 12-3 lead that was quickly extended by a goal from Williams early in the period. The Bulldogs scored three from three different goal-scorers before Santa Clara added a fourth goal in the game at the 1:37 mark. McKenney scored the final goal of the game with a shot at the 1:12 mark.
Notable
Fresno State won its third-straight GCC regular season title.
The Bulldogs continue their streak of not having lost a conference game since March 27, 2021.
Fresno State's 13-goal margin of victory is its second-highest of the season, and the most in conference play this year.
Fresno State held Santa Clara to just a .190 shooting percentage (4-of-21). The four goals allowed are the second-fewest of all opponents this season, and the lowest in GCC play.
Kelsey McKenney scored her first hat trick of the season, and just the second of her career.
Jillian Schultz tied her season-high with four goals.
Cynthia Rosa was 2-0 in her sprints on Saturday, bringing her season record to 58-3.
Up Next
The GCC tournament is set for April 28-30 in San Diego, Calif. Fresno State will be the top seed in the upcoming GCC Championships and will face No. 8 California Baptist in game four on Friday, Apr. 28 at the Aztec Aquaplex in San Diego. Game time is set for 4 pm.