Cal Poly Women’s Soccer fell to the Fresno State Bulldogs 1-0 on Sunday, Aug. 18 at Mustang Memorial Field.
The Mustangs’ (0-1-1) first loss of the 2024 campaign came amidst a tough early non-conference schedule, playing against a Bulldogs (1-0-0) team that they drew 1-1 against last season.
The Bulldogs would prove to be the aggressors early, playing the ball forward at every opportunity while trying to find their attackers in space. Just seven minutes into the game, they earned a free kick after Aynsley Conner was fouled chasing a through ball.
Fresno State’s Jordan Lau would head the ball into the net after the free kick bounced off of the crossbar, putting them up 1-0 in the seventh minute.
Cal Poly would find their rhythm following the goal, as their offense began to ramp up to the tune of five first half shots.
Redshirt sophomore Sophia Minnite would fire the only first half shot on goal for Cal Poly on a long-distance strike that was saved by the Bulldogs.
Early into the second half, graduate student Whitney Wiley found sophomore Jaycee DeFazio on the left side with a pinpoint through ball, as DeFazio received the pass and drilled a shot into the back of the net. However, DeFazio was ruled offside by the referee.
Despite the setback, the Mustang offense would continue to put pressure on the Bulldogs. Cal Poly outshot Fresno State 4-2 in the second half, but would fail to find the game tying goal.
In their second straight match, the Mustangs outpaced their opponents in shots (9-8) and possession (60-40), but couldn’t come out on top.
Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Riley Wilkerson made five saves in her first career start for Cal Poly.
Up next, the Mustangs stay home for a huge test as they host No. 11 UCLA at Mustang Memorial Field on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.