Former Colfax High soccer standout Bradlee Deshane, a 2007 CHS graduate, has helped Fresno State earn a berth in this weekend's NCAA Div. I Women's Soccer Tournament. Deshane logged all 104 minutes in last Sunday's 2-1 double overtime win over Utah State in the finals of the Western Athletic Conference's tournament played in Reno. Fresno State takes on UCLA Friday in Westwood in a first round NCAA battle. (Photo Courtesy Fresno State)

Nov. 11, 2008

Deshane helps Fresno State earn NCAA Tournament berth

It's a long way from the playing fields of the foothills to the NCAA Div. I championship soccer tournament but 2007 Colfax High graduate Bradlee Deshane is on her way.

Deshane, a former four-year varsity standout for the Lady Falcons, will be living a dream of a lifetime has she helped lead her Fresno State Bulldogs to the championship of last weekend's Western Athletic Conference championship tournament in Reno.

Fresno State defeated No. 1 seeded Utah State 2-1 in a double overtime match that was played in frigid 40-degree temperatures on Sunday in Mackay Stadium.

The win qualified Fresno State for the NCAA Div. I tournament which begins Friday. Fresno will travel to Western Region No. 1 seed UCLA for a 5:30 p.m. match.

Fresno State's tourney win capped a strong late season run by the Bulldogs after a slow start to their season.  

“We struggled a bit during the preseason but at the same time I could see that we were coming together as a team,” said Deshane Monday about Fresno State overcoming its 3-7 start to reach the NCAA tourney for the first time since 2005.

“We had a lot of young players who didn’t have a whole lot of college experience but then we started to click,” Deshane added. “I’m still pinching myself. It’s exciting.”

 Deshane, a high scoring forward for Colfax in her prep days, has moved to defender at Fresno and started every match this season for the Bulldogs who caught fire in the second half of the season and went 9-1-2 over their last 12 matches.

“It was strange switching to defense last year because I had played up front all my life but I enjoy it back there,” said Deshane who has an attacking defender picked up an assist in Fresno’s 2-0 tourney semi-final round win over Nevada on Friday.

A big ingredient in Fresno’s late season success was the defense that the Bulldogs threw at opponents.

In their last 10 matches, the Bulldogs posted nine shutouts and allowed just two goals, one to Utah State in a 1-0 loss in Logan, Utah on Oct. 19 and the other in Sunday’s title match.

“Our defense is one of the strong points of the team,”  said Deshane who played all 104 minutes in Sunday’s two overtime win.

Asked on any preference on where the Bulldogs land in the tournament pairings she answered, “It really doesn’t matter…wherever it is has to be warmer than Reno.”

Deshane now joins former classmate Devin Ginty has the second Class of 2007 graduate from Colfax High who will compete in a NCAA Div. I tournament. Ginty played in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament this past season for the University of San Diego.