San Diego, CA – In the first ever modern MCLA match-up between the two teams, the #3 Colorado State Rams were pushed to the brink by the San Diego State Aztecs before getting a goal in double overtime to snatch an out of conference road win.
The Rams led 3-2 at halftime, but didn’t score again until sophomore Brian Allen (Judge Memorial; Salt Lake City, UT) notched the game winner with 1:57 left in the second overtime to give the Rams a 4-3 victory. SDSU outshot the Rams 32-26 in a defensive battle in front of a raucous crowd on campus at San Diego State.
The Aztecs opened the scoring early on a goal by Kevin Hoover before the Rams tied things up late in the first quarter. Drew Brooker gave SDSU the lead again early in the second, but the Rams got two quick ones late in the half to take a 3-2 lead, including freshman Chase Warner’s (Tesaro HS; Mission Viejo, CA) key tally with just :12 remaining in the quarter.
Scoring dried up in the third as the two defenses stood their ground. With 10:57 remaining, Brooker scooped up a groundball in front of the crease and jammed one home to set up the dramatic overtime finish. Both teams had opportunities in the first overtime but couldn’t cash in and the Rams held strong on defense on SDSU’s first possession of the second overtime.
Finally, after a prolonged offensive possession, Allen ran by his man at the top of the box and stuck one low for the game winner. Allen led the Rams with two goals while Brooker had two for the Aztecs.
CSU was their own worst enemy on the offensive end, committing 24 turnovers. Playing again without the services of two starting attackmen, the Rams struggled to find much rhythm against a solid SDSU defense. The win marked the third time this season the Rams have only scored four goals in a game and was their second 4-3 victory.
Colorado State (6-2 overall, 0-1 RMLC) will enjoy a day off on Friday before traveling north to take on #12 Chapman in another tough road test on Saturday evening. The game will be broadcast on mcla.us at 7 p.m. PST and will be a rematch of last year’s thrilling 5-4 double overtime game. Colorado State is 4-3 in the all-time series against the Panthers, who have been perennial MCLA powerhouses over much of the past decade.
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