FRESNO, Calif. – Down a player for nearly 50 minutes, Fresno State earned a gritty 2-1 win in dramatic fashion on Thursday night at Bulldog Soccer Stadium as Ciara Wilson and Kaelyn Miller linked up for a 90th-minute winner against Weber State. It was the first game-winner of Wilson's career.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The visitors earned the upperhand in the 16th minute. A foul and subsequent yellow card on Jordan Lau in the box resulted in a penalty kick for Weber State. Ali Swensen went high and found the roof of the net to put the Wildcats up 1-0.
Midway through the half, Anaya Shelton began finding some space down the right flank. The breakthrough came in the 40th minute. The junior's second shot of the evening caught the right post but caromed to the foot of Kaelyn Miller who put the rebound into the back of the net.
But 90 seconds later, the situation for the 'Dogs changed. After receiving a yellow card six minutes earlier, Averee Campos was given her second, ending the senior left back's night.
Despite being down a player, Fresno State controlled play for much of the second half. With Miller playing in a low-lying attacking position late, the senior was able to pop a loose ball over the top of the defense in the final minute. Ciara Wilson got to it first, taking it off the bounce and knocking it past Wildcat keeper Hadley Harris with 44 seconds on the clock.
NOTES
Fresno State opened a fall season 2-0-0 for the first since 2006. That season the Bulldogs won their first three matches.
Fresno State won its home opener for the first time since 2014.
The win was the Bulldogs' first when trailing in a match since Oct. 8, 2021 when they defeated another team from the Beehive State, Utah State 2-1.
Fresno State is 3-0-0 all-time against Weber State.
Kaelyn Miller recorded a goal and an assist after missing the season opener.
Miller moved into a tie for ninth on the program's career goals list at 19 with current Mexico National Team member Myra Delgadillo.
Ciara Wilson tallied her first-career game-winner.
Anaya Shelton notched her first point as a Bulldog.
SCORING SUMMARY
15:38 – WSU – 15:38 – Ali Swensen (PK)
39:18 – FS – Kaelyn Miller (Anaya Shelton)
89:16 – FS – Ciara Wilson (Kaelyn Miller)
UP NEXT
Fresno State travels to UC Santa Barbara on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for noon at Harder Stadium and will stream on ESPN+.