September 29, 2007

Gutierrez-led 'Dogs edge Miners
Bee Staff And News Services

Nicole Gutierrez scored three goals and Fresno State held off a late charge by Texas-El Paso to beat the Miners 3-2 in a nonconference women's soccer game Friday at Bulldog Stadium.

The Bulldogs evened their record at 4-4, and will host Cal State-Fullerton at 2 p.m. Sunday. UTEP fell to 6-3-1.

Gutierrez's third goal, in the 84th minute, gave Fresno State at 3-0 lead with a little more than 7 minutes remaining.

But the Miners struck back with 86th- and 88th-minute goals by Cortney Case and Lauren Hamson to close the gap.

Gutierrez's three goals give her a team-leading five this season.

"Nikki was on fire tonight," Fresno State coach Steve Springthorpe said. "Everything she put on target was going in. She was strong on the ball and turning defenders. This was probably the best game I have seen Nikki play."

She first scored in the 24th minute, bouncing a shot off the crossbar from an assist by Aubrey Tennant.

Gutierrez scored again in the 54th minute, a header off a free kick, with the assist going to Andrea Alires. The final Bulldogs goal was Gutierrez's header off a crossing pass from Megan Tennant.