FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's soccer team is set for a busy week, playing three games in five days to begin the 2018 campaign. The Sunbirds are set to host Central Washington on Thursday before making trips to Hayward and Turlock for the first two road games of the year. 
 
Schedule
Game 1
vs. Central Washington
Thursday, August 30 • 7:00 p.m.
Fresno, Calif. | Ramirez Field
Live Stats
 
Game 2
@ Cal State East Bay
Saturday, September 1 • 5:00 p.m.
Hayward, Calif. | Pioneer Stadium
Live Stats | Video
 
Game 3
@ Stanislaus State
Monday, September 3 • 7:00 p.m.
Turlock, Calif. | Warrior Stadium
Live Stats | Video 

Fresno Pacific

• About the Sunbirds

After finishing last season with the highest finish in program history, the Sunbirds were picked to win the PacWest Conference this season. Midfielder Whitney Snow and defender Alyssa Kincade were each selected to the Preseason All-League Team, while both of FPU's leading goal scorers (Snow, Anissia Gonzalez) from last season are back to lead the scoring attack. 
 

• Leaderboard (Returners)
  • Shots: Whitney Snow, 46
  • Goals: two players tied, 6
  • Points: Whitney Snow, 16
  • Assists: Alyssa Kincade, 7 
  • Saves: Hannah Hathaway, 2  

 
Central Washington

• Coach Podeyn says: 

CWU is typically a very good team that looks to compete for a spot in the national tournament every year. They will be very organized with an attacking mindset and a tough opponent to start the season against. 
 

• About the Wildcats

The Wildcats aim for a return to form in 2018 after finishing just 2-12-3 overall with a 1-9-2 mark in GNAC play a season ago. Sophia Keenan and KK Wallace tied one another for second on the team in goals last season, and both are back for the 2018 campaign. 
 

• All-Time Series

The Sunbirds and Wildcats met for the first time ever last season, when the two teams played to a 4-4 tie in Ellensburg, Wash. The match featured three lead changes, and four different Sunbirds found the back of the net. 
 

• Leaderboard (Returners)
  • Shots: Sophia Keenan, 18
  • Goals: two players tied, 3
  • Points: two players tied, 7
  • Assists: Jordan Engman, 3 
  • Saves: two players tied, 2 

 
Cal State East Bay

• Coach Podeyn says:

CSUEB is in a tough conference and surprised us last year on our field with a 3-2 win. They are always tough and will be a well-prepared team.
 

• About the Pioneers

Cal State East Bay posted a 4-12-2 record last season, including a 1-9-2 mark in CCAA action. The Pioneers are in their first season under the direction of Mary Whisler, who comes to CSUEB after spending the last three seasons as an 
 

• All-Time Series

The Sunbirds and Pioneers have previously met five times, with FPU claiming a slight 3-2 edge. Prior to last season, CSUEB had been outscored 5-0 over two meetings in Fresno. 
 

• Leaderboard (Returners)
  • Shots: Savannah Schults, 36
  • Goals: Abby Buitrago, 5 
  • Points: Abby Buitrago, 11
  • Assists: Lauren McDougal, 4 
  • Saves: N/A 

 
Stanislaus State

• Coach Podeyn says:

Stanislaus State always has one of the best programs in the CCAA and is annually a threat on the national level. This is always a game we look forward to as a measuring stick of where we are in the region. This will be a very competitive game against a well-prepared team. 
 

• About the Warriors

The Warriors posted an 11-5-2 record last fall, marking their ninth consecutive season with at least 11 wins. The team  
 

• All-Time Series

The Sunbirds have struggled against the Warriors, scoring just three goals and going 0-7 in the all-time series. The two teams haven't met since the 2016 season, when Stanislaus State came away with a 60th-minute goal to hang on for a 1-0 victory at Ramirez Field.  
 

• Leaderboard (Returners)
  • Shots: Rayana Plancarte, 24
  • Goals: two players tied, 3 
  • Points: two players tied, 10 
  • Assists: Jenna Zuniga, 4 
  • Saves: Haley Crook, 67

 
Stay Connected
• Twitter: @fpusunbirds / @fpusoccer
• Instagram: @fpusunbirds
• Facebook: /FPUathletics