Goaltenders Save the Day as Colorado State Limps by Texas 4-3

Loveland, CO – Snow moved Colorado State’s home opener against the University of Texas off campus to the Loveland Sports Park as the Rams moved to 3-0 on the season with a 4-3 struggle over the Longhorns on Sunday afternoon.  CSU goaltenders combined for 19 saves as the Rams were outpaced in most aspects of the score-sheet in a sloppy game by both teams.

The Rams started quickly, scoring on their first full possession of the game with 11:09 remaining.  But that was all the scoring in the first quarter as both teams played well on defense to end the first frame.

CSU showed some life early in the second, scoring two goals within 33 seconds with just two minutes gone.  They notched another with 7:41 to play in the first half to hold a 4-0 advantage, but CSU would not score again as the Texas defense and ride took control of the game for the remaining 37 minutes.

Fortunately for the Rams, senior goaltenders Jack Regan (Sunset HS / Beaverton, OR) and Koltin Fatzinger (Wheat Ridge HS, Thornton, CO) were up to the task as Regan had 11 saves in the first half and Fatzinger pitched in with eight in the second.

Texas outshot the Rams 39-23 and scooped up 30 groundballs to CSU’s 27. CSU was not helped by 20 turnovers and eight failed clears on the afternoon.  Neither team was able to cash in on a combined four man-up opportunities.  The Rams did enjoy a six of ten advantage on face-offs thanks to junior Brian Roach (Wheat Ridge HS / Westminster, CO), who won six of his nine opportunities.

Texas was led by attackman Cody Crews’ two goals while four different players scored CSU’s four goals.  The four goals by Colorado State was the lowest by the team since a 11-3 loss against Michigan in April of 2011.

Colorado State (3-0 overall) moves on to arguably its most challenging stretch of the season next weekend as #7 Michigan State and #6 Brigham Young come to Fort Collins on Friday and Saturday nights respectively.  The Spartans and Cougars face-off on Wednesday afternoon in Boulder and each will play Colorado and Colorado State on their trip.