Broncos Drop 2-1 Contest for First Conference Loss

Friday, October 19

Boise, Idaho

4:00 PM MT

Boise State

13-3-1, 7-1-1

Fresno State

5-9-3, 4-3-2

Fresno State

Boise State

Photo by: Boise State University

10/19/2018 8:13:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

BOISE, Idaho – Boise State (13-3-1, 7-1-1) was forced to compete with 10 players for the majority of Friday's game, and Fresno State (5-9-3, 4-3-2) was able to take advantage to hand the Broncos their first loss of the conference season. The 2-1 defeat for the Blue and Orange breaks up a 10-game unbeaten streak.

Even with the result, Boise State (22 points) maintains its position atop the Mountain West standings and is three points clear of second-place San Jose State (19 points), who tied with Utah State earlier in the afternoon. If the Broncos are to tie or defeat the Spartans, Sunday, they will secure a share or an outright claim of the regular season conference title, respectively.

The odd nature of Friday's match was immediately felt early on in the eighth minute when Aubree Chatterton and the Fresno State goalkeeper collided right after Chatterton got off a shot that Nicole Theroux saved. Theroux was slow to get up, and the head official eventually gave Chatterton a yellow card.

Raimee Sherle and McKenna Kynett continued to test Theroux in the 18th and 23rd minutes with shots on goal while Fresno State also had a handful of moments over the same timeframe, but neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first 30 minutes.

The turning point of the game came in the 33rd when Chatterton was whistled for a foul that inexplicably turned into a yellow card, giving the sophomore her second booking of the game. The Broncos buckled down with just 10 players, however, and were able to keep the Bulldogs off the board for the remainder of the first half.

The first Fresno State goal came in the 48th when Melissa Ellis scored her first of the season, giving the visitors the 1-0 lead.

The Blue and Orange continued to fight and responded by regaining the majority of the possession over the course of the next 10 minutes. The Broncos were rewarded for their activity when a shot from Ashleigh Harrison in the 61st hit the arm of a Bulldog in the box, giving Boise State the penalty kick.

Kynett stepped up and tucked away the PK right post, bringing the Broncos level at 1-1.

The match swung back into Fresno State's favor just minutes later when Boise State was called for a foul in the box on a Bulldog corner kick, giving Kayla Calmes the opportunity on the PK. The junior converted, giving the visitors the 2-1 lead in the 64th minute.

Boise State almost found the equalizer on a couple occasions later in regulation. Eva Herrera put one on goal off a set piece in the 74th while Kristina Serres ripped off an absolute bullet in the 83rd, but Theroux was there to make the save on both attempts.

The Broncos held an 11-7 advantage in shots on the day with Serres and Kynett both tallying two each.

Boise State will now prepare to take on San Jose State this Sunday, Oct. 19 (1 p.m.) back at the Boas Soccer Complex. The winner of the upcoming game between the No. 1 and 2 ranked teams will essentially decide the Mountain West regular season title.