STOCKTON, Calif. - The No. 8 Fresno State water polo team defeated No. 21 Pacific 12-10 at the Chris Kjeldsen Pool at Eberhardt Aquatics Center on Friday evening, moving to 12-7 overall and 6-1 in Golden Coast Conference play. With the win, Fresno State secured the No. 2 seed at the upcoming GCC Championships.
The Bulldogs were led in scoring by senior Abbey Simshauser with three goals. Hailey Andress and Brooke Ochoa each scored two. Marit van der Kolk, Elisa Grim, Megan Cranley, Sidney Strickland and Kira Anderson all scored one each.
How it Happened
It was a fast first minute of play, with two goals scored by both teams in the span. Pacific was on the board first with a penalty goal, but the Bulldogs responded with a penalty of their own scored by Hailey Andress. The Tigers took advantage of a powerplay opportunity on their next possession, to take the one-goal lead. Fresno State had its own powerplay chance, and converted to tie the game yet again behind a goal from Megan Cranley, off the assist from Brooke Ochoa.
For the next Bulldog goal, Marit van der Kolk did almost all of it on her own, grabbing the steal on the defensive side of the pool then drawing the exclusion on the offensive. It was van der Kolk who put the final stamp on the possession, scoring off the assist from Ochoa to make it a 3-2 game in favor of Fresno State.
The teams traded aggressive possessions, and remained scoreless for nearly three minutes of play. Pacific ended the drought with a 6-on-5 conversion, tying the game at three with 1:11 left in the first. At the buzzer, Sidney Strickland poked in the pass to the inside to give the 'Dogs a 4-3 lead at the end of the first.
In the second quarter, Pacific tied the game at four with 6:26 left to go before halftime.
After a steal from Ochoa, the senior worked her way down pool and set up Abbey Simshauser at the 2-meter line to finish the play and put Fresno State ahead 5-4. Kira Anderson got on the board with a spin move to free herself up for the score. Ochoa ended the half with a goal at the four second mark. Pacific attempted one final shot of the half, but was denied by a team of defenders. The Bulldogs led, 7-4, at halftime for their largest lead of the game up to that point.
Pacific rallied to open the second half, scoring two unanswered to cut the Bulldog lead to just one, 7-6. Ochoa ended the Pacific run, attacking on her own after taking possession back off an offensive call on the Tigers. Andress netted her second goal of the game for Fresno State's ninth goal of the night.
After a big save from Ida Tully-Giles, the keeper connected with senior Elisa Grim who converted for the score to increase the Bulldog lead to four, 10-6. Pacific scored on an attempt, and Simshauser snuck one in with seven seconds left in the third quarter. Fresno State led 11-7 through three.
Pacific outscored Fresno State 3-1 in the final quarter, but it was not enough to erase what the 'Dogs did to separate themselves earlier in the game. Simshauser scored the only goal for the 'Dogs in the fourth quarter, on a 6-on-5 opportunity.
Pacific called timeout with just one minute left to play, down by two. As the Tigers moved in their offensive possession, Andress came from behind to grab the steal. The Bulldogs held onto the ball, running out the clock until the final buzzer.
Up Next
Fresno State looks to defend its GCC tournament title at the championship next weekend, hosted by LMU on April 25-27. Fresno State is paired with the seven seed Concordia in the first round of the tournament, on Friday (April 25) at noon. More information on the GCC Championship can be found here. Tickets are available for purchase here.