FRESNO STATE (5-3-2, 0-1-1 MW) at WYOMING (2-4-4, 0-1-1 MW)
Oct. 3, 2024 • 3 p.m. PT • Laramie, Wyo. (Madrid Sports Complex)
COVERAGE
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: Bulldogslive.com
X (Twitter): @FresnoStateWSOC
FRESNO STATE (5-3-2, 0-1-1 MW) at COLORADO STATE (6-3-1, 2-0-0 MW)
Oct. 6, 2024 • 11 a.m. PT • Fort Collins, Colo. (CSU Soccer Field)
COVERAGE
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: Bulldogslive.com
X (Twitter): @FresnoStateWSOC
FRESNO, Calif. — Fresno State heads out on its first Mountain West road trip this week, traveling to Wyoming and Colorado State.
The Bulldogs begin their trip in Laramie with an afternoon kickoff against the Cowgirls on Thursday. Both matches will be streamed on the Mountain West Network.
QUICK LOOK
The Bulldogs are coming off its first result against a Top 10 opponent since 2011 after holding No. 10 Utah State to a scoreless draw on Sunday. The Aggies entered the match scoring at least two goals in 10 of their 11 matches.
The Bulldogs entered conference play with the second-best nonconference winning percentage in program history at .688 after posting a 5-2-1 record.
Fresno State is 2-1-1 away from home this season.
Fresno State is 4-1-2 this season when it is leading or tied at the half.
Goalkeeper Shivani Battaglia ranks No. 1 in the Mountain West in goals against average (0.67) and save percentage (.826).
Ashton Conley has started the last four matches in Battaglia's absence, posting shutouts against Oregon State and Utah State.
Kaelyn Miller, Sam Paepen and Ciara Wilson lead the team offensively with two goals apiece. Wilson owns two game-winners while Paepen has scored the first goal in two of the Bulldogs' four wins. Miller scored the winner at OSU.
Wilson leads the team with six points following her assist on the winner at OSU.
SLOWER STARTERS
Picking up just one point in the first two games of Mountain West play hasn't been anything new for Fresno State. In 13 seasons in the league, the Bulldogs have earned just one point or fewer in their first two matches 10 times.
In four of the previous nine times it has happened, Fresno State has made the Mountain West tournament.
SHUTTING OUT THE NO. 10
On Sunday, Fresno State did what only one other team has been able to do this season--shut out Utah State. With a 10-0-1 record, ranking No. 10 in the country, and averaging more than three goals per game, the Bulldogs locked in on the defensive end and held the Aggies to a scoreless draw.
Fresno State earned its first result against a ranked opponent since drawing 1-1 with No. 8 Pepperdine on Sept. 25, 2011 in Fresno.
Fresno State moved to 2-2-2 all-time against Top 10 opponents in Fresno and 2-14-2 all-time against opponents ranked in the Top 10.
Fresno State moved to 7-30-4 all-time against Top 25 opponents.
KEEPING THEM CLOSE
Matches tend to be close in soccer and Fresno State's games have lived up to that in 2024. Nine of the Bulldogs' 10 matches have been played within a goal.
Fresno State is 5-2-2 this season in matches decided by a goal for less.
LIMITING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE BACK
Prior to facing then-No. 19 Pepperdine, Fresno State had only allowed four goals through its first seven games. The Waves put in one more than the 'Dogs had allowed in the seven previous matches, moving the Bulldogs from first to sixth in goals allowed in the Mountain West.
268 Division I teams currently average more than the 9.7 shots per game that the Bulldogs are allowing per game.