DAVIS, Calif. - After surrendering the first goal of the match, the Fresno State women's soccer team remained resilient and rallied for a late game-tying goal by Alexis Campbell to earn a 1-1 draw in the season opener on Thursday night at Aggie Soccer Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening half saw the Aggies dictating the pace of play while keeping the Bulldogs on their heels. UC Davis was able to generate two scoring chances early, but Fresno State stood strong defensively, blocking both attempts to keep the game scoreless. With seconds remaining, goalie Shivani Battaglia made one of her two saves of the half to keep the game scoreless heading into halftime.
After outshooting the Bulldogs 7-3 in the first half, the Aggies continued their offensive attack in the opening minutes of the second period. After a failed clearing attempt by Fresno State off a corner kick, Sydney Brushman capitalized with the first goal of the game to give the Aggies a 1-0 advantage just over two minutes into the half.
Down by a goal, Fresno State's offense began to find its rhythm as Hayden Crotty-Romero responded with two scoring chances of her own but was unable to find the net. In the 66th minute, Fresno State's best chance of the half came when freshman Abigail Herren's shot off a crosser was saved by goalie Shayna Ross to preserve the Aggies shutout.
With just over seven minutes to play in the half, the Bulldogs relentless effort in the offensive zone was rewarded when a shot from the right side by Ciara Wilson was redirected by Alexis Campbell into the net to tie the game 1-1. Campbell's first career goal as a Bulldog came on Fresno State's tenth shot of the half.
The 'Dogs continued to push for the game-winning goal until time expired, but the match would end in 1-1 draw at Aggie Soccer Field.
NOTES
Fresno State earned a draw in their season opener for the second time in program history (Aug. 17, 2023 vs. Cal Poly; 1-1)
Fresno State and UC Davis tied for the first time in their series history
Senior Alexis Campbell scored her first career goal as a Bulldog
Ciara Wilson recorded her sixteenth career assist on the goal
Fresno State outshot UC Davis 14-13, and 11-6 in the second half
Freshmen Abigail Herren and Addison Sanchez saw their first collegiate minutes, with Herren recording two shots on goal
Goalie Shavani Battaglia played all 90 minutes, finishing the game with five saves
SIx 'Dogs recorded a team high 90 minutes in the game (Laura Mas Serra, Katie Morris, Sabrina Welch, Alexis Campbell, Ciara Wilson, Hayden Crotty-Romero)
Midfielder Alexis Campbell and forward Abigail Herren led the 'Dogs with two shots on goal apiece
Hayden Crotty-Romero registered a team high six shots
SCORING SUMMARY
47:18 - UCD - Sydney Bushman (Kiley Fehrenbacher)
83:57 - FS - Alexis Campbell (Ciara Wilson)
UP NEXT
Fresno State will return to Bulldog Soccer Stadium for a two-game homestand, beginning with their home opener against Cal Poly on Thursday Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. PT.