The Fresno State women’s soccer team celebrated a 2-0 shutout victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on September 6, marking head coach Gabriel Bolton’s first win with the Bulldogs. Fresno State aims to maintain this momentum as it hosts Pepperdine at Bulldog Soccer Stadium in Fresno on September 10 at 7 p.m. PT before traveling to face Santa Clara Broncos at Stevens Stadium on September 13 at noon.
Entering these games, Fresno State holds a 1-4-1 overall record and has yet to begin Pac-12 Conference play. The recent win included a standout performance from junior goalkeeper Jessica Reiss, who recorded her first career shutout and win for the Bulldogs while making five saves. Her efforts earned her Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Offensively, junior midfielder Hayden Crotty-Romero leads Fresno State with four points and two goals through six games, including goals in back-to-back matches. Defender Katie Morris leads the team with nine shots, six shots on goal, and one game-winning goal, which she scored in the 61st minute against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Both upcoming opponents are members of the West Coast Conference, and Fresno State has struggled historically against these teams. The Bulldogs hold a 1-6-1 record against Pepperdine, with their only win coming in 2000, and have never beaten Santa Clara in seven all-time meetings. Fresno State last played Pepperdine in 2024, suffering a 5-0 loss, while their last match against Santa Clara dates back to 2014.
CSB Take
The first win of the season under Gabriel Bolton’s leadership and Jessica Reiss’s strong defensive showing provide Fresno State women’s soccer valuable momentum heading into tough matchups against Pepperdine and Santa Clara. Despite historical challenges against these foes, recent performances reflect growth and potential. The Bulldogs have a key opportunity in these contests to build confidence and make strides as they prepare for Pac-12 play.
Source: Original report
