One more for Bulldog history.
The No. 2 seed Fresno State women’s water polo team defeated the No. 3 seed University of the Pacific Tigers 19-12 in the semifinals of the Golden Coast Conference (GCC) tournament on Saturday, April 26, at the Burns Aquatics Center.
The win propels the ‘Dogs to their fifth consecutive GCC championship game.
“I try not to think about it too much, because each year is a new year,” said Head Coach Natalie Benson. “We get what we deserve, we get what we earn. If we deserve it, we’ll get it.”
Senior utility Brooke Ochoa led the charge for the ‘Dogs with a record-tying seven goals. She also added three assists for a 10-point afternoon. Senior attacker Abbey Simshauser gave the ‘Dogs two goals and five assists for 7 points.
The ‘Dogs’ depth factored in again with 10 Bulldogs potting a goal despite facing a top-three goalie in the GCC.
“It was a really great thing to see other people step up,” Benson said. “When one of your better players gets taken out, either with foul trouble or just with struggling a little bit, it’s nice to see other people step up.”
A rematch of the GCC season finale proved to have more on the line than tournament seeding: a spot in the GCC championship game.
What Happened?
Through piercing winds and light showers, the ‘Dogs and Tigers started an intense, emotional game. The ‘Dogs might have been wearing navy, but the crowd was a sea of red.
The crowd fired up the ‘Dogs from the get-go, jumping out to an early 4-0 lead over the Tigers. The Bulldog defense held the Tigers to just one shot in the first four minutes of the first period. Andress and Ochoa started the party for the ‘Dogs on the first four shots of the game. Each goal multiplied the rowdiness from the Red Wave.
A timeout taken by the Tigers shifted the tide, and momentum shifted to the Tigers. Coming out of the timeout and choosing to play 5-on-5 confused the Bulldog defense.
“You can see their tendencies and stuff like that, but everybody’s got an ace up the sleeve for conference playoffs,” Benson said.
The final possession for the ‘Dogs almost cost them the lead. After a missed shot by Andress, the Tigers launched the ball down the length of the pool and missed the cage by just a few inches. Benson had a loud intermission huddle after.
This was just the beginning for both coaches.
The Tigers’ defense was stout against the ‘Dogs down low, trying to spark their offense. The spark was found by none other than Ochoa.
After both teams traded goals within 15 seconds, the tide turned for the Bulldogs for the rest of the game.
Sophomore defender Sidney Strickland helped out her goalie with two massive blocks in a critical spot, with the ‘Dogs only leading by two.
Andress was called for her second exclusion. One more and she would be done for the day. This was where the depth for the ‘Dogs stepped up.
Senior attacker Ella Simone knocked in a goal to give the ‘Dogs a three-goal advantage, their largest since leading 4-1 in the first period. The Tigers added one to cut back into the Bulldog advantage.
Benson’s halftime message showed success for the ‘Dogs. Everyone caught their breath. With 16 minutes to go with a spot in the championship game on the line, the ‘Dogs were up for the challenge.
Coming out of the break, the crowd was deafening, and the Bulldog bench was barking. Everyone knew what was at stake.
Both teams continued to trade goals until Simshauser sparked a run that saw the Dogs score three goals in 1:09. With each big moment, the crowd grew exponentially.
The ‘Dogs got a 6-on-5 advantage for only the second time during the three-goal run. During a timeout, Benson was fired up, pushing her players to dig deep.
One coach used her passion to motivate her players, while the other let the moment get too big. After Ochoa scored a breakaway goal, the Tigers’ Head Coach James Graham was issued a yellow card for remarks made toward the officials.
The Tigers went back to 5-on-5 play to start the fourth period, trying to spark a comeback. Ochoa and the ‘Dogs were just too much to handle.
“[Ochoa is] just ridiculous,” Benson said. “She’s just a competitor, she’s fearless and she’s good on both sides of the ball, and she’s just one of the toughest people I’ve ever met. I think everybody who’s a water polo fan right now is blessed to watch her play.”
Sophomore goalie Ida Tully-Giles came up with her three biggest saves of the day and allowed the ‘Dogs to stretch the lead to eight with just under two minutes to go.
As the clock ticked to zero, the cheers amped up another level. Nothing was stopping the Bulldog wagon.
Tully-Giles got a pass from Andress to bleed the clock and send the ‘Dogs back to the championship game, defeating the Tigers for the second year in a row in the semifinals.
Benson let players and the fans relish in the moment postgame. Players and fans joined in their huddle break. An ode to the fans that have supported the ‘Dogs all season long.
“These parents showing up and these fans showing up to support us, they’re part of our success,” Benson said. “They’re [on this] journey with us. We’re all for the dogs, so let’s get everybody in that circle.”
What’s Next?
It’s a date with Loyola Marymount University for the GCC crown. The ‘Dogs will play for their fifth consecutive GCC title in a rematch of last year’s title game against the host and No. 1 seed Lions on Sunday, April 27, at the Burns Aquatics Center. The Lions are the only team that has defeated the ‘Dogs in conference play this year.
