FRESNO, Calif. – With a game plan to limit No. 10 Utah State's attempts on goal, Fresno State executed it to perfection in a scoreless draw on Sunday afternoon at Bulldog Soccer Stadium to earn its first point of Mountain West play. It was the first time since 2011 that the Bulldogs have earned a result against a Top 10 opponent.
The Aggies entered Sunday at 10-0-1 and featured one of the most prolific offenses in the country, ranking fifth in scoring offense (3.27), and second in total goals (36), points (107) and goal differential (+29). Utah State's shot accuracy was 12th at 55.4%, but on Sunday the 'Dogs allowed just three of the Aggies' 13 attempts to find the target (23.1%) .
HOW IT HAPPENED
Maintaining much of the possession early, Utah State piled up five shots, two on target, before Fresno State found its footing. Alexis Campbell put the Bulldogs' first attempt on target, striking a low bending ball toward the near post from the right side of the box but it was gathered up by Aggie keeper Cora Brendle.
With the game appearing to head into half at 0-0, the 'Dogs had one last flurry in the final seconds. Haley Espinoza had a flicked header knocked away but the half clearance fell to the foot of Sam Paepen. The freshman's shot though was just wide of the mark.
With nine combined shots in the second half, just one forced a save from either keeper. That attempt came from the Bulldogs in the 58th minute. Kaelyn Miller had a ball sent into the edge of the six, but the senior's shot was blocked by a defender, taking steam off the attempt so Brendle could scoop it up.
Like the first half, Fresno State looked to pounce late. Off a long free kick in the 88th minute, Miller and Ciara Wilson put together a 1-2 but Miller's look from the top of the box was blocked by a last-ditch effort from an Aggie defender. A minute later, the 'Dogs nearly caught USU with numbers forward. A ball over the top to Wilson put the Bulldog in on goal. With a defender on her hip, a sliding tackle knocked the ball away before Wilson could get a shot off.
NOTES
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.
Fresno State is 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.
Fresno State was just the second team this season to hold Utah State without a goal. The Aggies entered Sunday scoring at least two goals in 10 of their 11 matches, and had beaten nine opponents by two or more goals.
The Bulldogs were outshot 13-6 with the Aggies holding a 3-2 in shots on goal.
The 'Dogs are 2-1-2 this season when being outshot.
Ashton Conley earned her second shutout in four starts, producing three saves in the match.
UP NEXT
Fresno State faces its first road test of conference play this week, traveling to Wyoming (Oct. 3) and Colorado State (Oct. 6). Kickoff is in Laramie, Wyo., on Thursday is scheduled for 3 p.m. PT and will stream on the Mountain West Network.