SAN DIEGO - The No. 1 seed Fresno State is headed back to the Golden Coast Conference Championship Game after defeating the No. 4 seeded San Diego State 15-11 at the Aztec Aquaplex on Saturday. The Bulldogs will face the No. 3 seed Pacific in the championship game tomorrow at 1 p.m., with their third-straight championship title in reach.
Fresno State was led in scoring by Isabella Sonkoly who netted three goals for a season-high. Two goals each were scored by Hailey Andress, Brooke Ochoa, Daphne Guevremont, Jillian Schultz and Kaitlin Howarth. Cynthia Rosa and Elisa Grim added one goal each.
Paula Nieto Jasny had 10 saves in the win. Rosa again was perfect in the sprints, winning all four opening-quarter possessions for the 'Dogs.
How it happened
Fresno State attacked early, taking a 1-0 lead in the first 15 seconds of play off a shot by Schultz. The Aztecs answered back with two in a row, but Fresno State's offense fired off six-straight goals while keeping SDSU off the board. The end of the first quarter saw Fresno State leading 4-2.
Fresno State had six goals in the second quarter that would extend the lead at the break. Howarth fired in a shot at the buzzer that put Fresno State on top at the break, 10-6.
A total of five goals were scored in the third quarter with the Bulldogs winning the quarter, 3-2. Fresno State had goals scored by Rosa, Andress and Ochoa in the quarter.
San Diego State took the fourth quarter, outscoring the 'Dogs 3-2 with a final goal at the buzzer.
Up Next
Fresno State looks to win its third-straight conference championship tomorrow. The Bulldogs will face Pacific for the title. Fresno State defeated Pacific in the last meeting between the teams, 10-7 in Stockton on March 25.