FRESNO, Calif.- With both teams seeking their first win of the season, Fresno State's clash with Cal Poly in their home opener would end in a scoreless draw at Bulldog Soccer Stadium on Thursday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State wasted little time creating scoring opportunities. Just over a minute into the contest, Klara Chapeyrout headed a ball off a throw-in towards the direction of Kaya Scott whose shot was saved by the Cal Poly goalkeeper. Scott then returned the favor with a cross back to Chapeyrout whose header sailed over the top of the net as the Bulldogs looked dangerous early in the offensive zone.
With Cal Poly responding, goalie Shivani Battaglia put on a strong first-half performance, saving six Mustang's shots including off a corner kick which the netminder swatted away from danger. The Bulldogs threatened in the closing minutes with one of the better scoring chances of the half. Laura Mas Serra's corner kick connected with sophomore Aniston Renovato for a header that was saved in the final minute as the two teams headed into the half with the game scoreless.
It was a defensive battle for the better part of the second half before the two teams traded quality scoring chances towards the later stage of the half. Laura Mas Serra came close to netting the first goal for the match, but her shot off a crosser missed wide left with five to go in the period. Shortly after, Cal Poly's Addie Crosno shot from close range was deflected by Battaglia off the crossbar to keep the Bulldogs even with Mustangs.
Ciara Wilson provided the Bulldogs with one final scoring chance in the 88' minute with a strike from midfield, but Cal Poly's goalie Alyssa Szarlacki answered the call one final time for the Mustangs as the game came to a close, ending in a 0-0 draw.
NOTES
The Bulldogs will start the season with an 0-0-2 record for the first time in program history
Fresno State remains undefeated against Cal Poly (1-0-2)
Defender Katie Morris and midfielder Laura Mas Serra recorded 90 minutes outings for the second game in a row
Shivani Battaglia finished with nine saves while recording her first shutout of the season
Ciara Wilson and Klara Chapeyrout finished with a team high two shots on goal
Fresno State outshot the Mustangs 7-5 in the second half
The Bulldogs recorded consecutive draws for the first time since 2023
Battaglia's shutout was the fourth of her career as a Bulldog
UP NEXT
Fresno State's two-game homestand will conclude vs. UC Santa Barbara on Thursday Aug. 28 at Bulldog Soccer Stadium with kickoff set for 7 p.m. PT