HONOLULU - The No. 5 Fresno State water polo team defeated Azusa Pacific 14-8 in the opening day of the Rainbow Invitational, hosted by Hawai'i. Fresno State won its fifth-straight game to continue its best start to a season in program history.
Brooke Ochoa became the fourth Bulldog in program history to score 100 career goals, hitting the mark with her first goal of the game. Ochoa totaled four goals in Friday's win.
Senior Abbey Simshauser scored five goals in the win for the team-high, her second time leading the 'Dogs in scoring this season. Additional goal scorers included Hailey Andress (2), Robyn Greenslade (2) and Kira Anderson (1).
True freshman Ida Tully-Giles got the start in the cage for the Bulldogs, becoming the first true freshman to start a game since Paula Nieto Jasny in 2020. Tully-Giles played the first two quarters, and Kelly Villanueva finished out in goal for the 'Dogs.
How it Happened
Ochoa got the scoring started early, finding the back of the net for her 100th career goal on a penalty shot. Less than a minute later, Simshauser netted her first of the night to put Fresno State up 2-0 with seven minutes still left in the opening period.
Robyn Greenslade scored her first goal in response to an APU score at the 4:30 mark. Simshauser and Hailey Andress tacked on additional goals for the Bulldogs to close out the first period with a 5-2 lead.
Andress, Simshauser and Greenslade remained constant scorers for the 'Dogs in the second, putting Fresno State ahead 8-4 at the half with one goal each in the quarter.
The third quarter saw minimal scoring with a pair of goals added for the 'Dogs and Villanueva allowing just one to APU. The 'Dogs entered the fourth quarter with a 10-5 lead.
Ochoa was firing in the fourth, scoring three in the quarter. Simshauser scored her fifth of the night in the quarter to round out scoring for the Bulldogs.
Notable
Fresno State won its fifth-straight game on Friday.
Fresno State is now 7-2 in the series with APU, winning all seven in a row.
Fresno State won its first game away from Fresno on the year.
Brooke Ochoa becomes the fourth player in program history to score 100 goals in their career.
Ochoa scored her 14th career hat trick, sitting alone for fourth-most in a career in program history.
Up Next
Fresno State continues play at the Rainbow Invitational facing No. 9 Princeton and No. 4 Hawai'i on Saturday. The 'Dogs face off with Princeton at 12:30 p.m. PT and with Hawai'i at 8 p.m. PT. Live scoring is available through The FOSH, and can be found at the Tournament Central.