Fort Collins, CO – The #4 Colorado State Rams stretched a 6-2 halftime advantage into a 9-2 lead just minutes into the third quarter and then held on to beat RMLC rival Utah 12-8 on an increasingly chilly afternoon at Colorado State University on Friday. The Rams scored six goals in the third quarter and won 16 of 23 face-offs to key the victory.
CSU got a career-high five goals from sophomore attackman Kacy Carter (Rock Canyon HS / Castle Rock, CO) and played deep into the bench against a frisky and hard-working Utah team to get the important conference victory on senior day on campus.
After outscoring the Utes 3-1 in both of the first two quarters, the Rams came out of the halftime gates firing on all cylinders, banging home three goals in the first two minutes of the period. All three goals were scored by Carter as the Ram offense found its stride. While Utah scored three goals of their own in the third quarter, the Rams had an answer less than two minutes after each goal to take a 12-5 lead into the fourth.
Utah scored three goals and shut out the Rams in the fourth, despite eight Colorado State shots that just couldn’t find the back of the net.
Carter’s five goals led all scorers and the sophomore tied for the game-high in groundballs with five as well. Fellow sophomore attackman Sean Smith (Amherst HS / Amherst, NY) pitched in with four assists – his fourth game of the year with at least four helpers. Utah’s Mack Schwoebel led the Utes with three goals and one assist on the afternoon.
The Rams dominated most statistical categories, outshooting Utah 43-22 and picking up 46 groundballs to Utah’s 32. Junior Dan Warfield (Smoky Hill HS / Aurora, CO) was outstanding facing off, winning 13 of his 14 opportunities to give the Rams continued opportunities on the offensive end.
Sophomore goaltender Koltin Fatzinger (Wheat Ridge HS / Thornton, CO) went the distance in net for CSU, picking up seven saves in the win while Utah’s Alex Watanawekin made eight saves.
The win was important for CSU (12-2 overall, 1-1 RMLC) as they bounced back from last weekend’s loss to BYU for their first conference victory of the year. The Rams final game of the year will be next weekend against the University of Colorado at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium in the ninth annual Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Showdown.
The game will likely carry significant RMLC tournament seeding implications as CU defeated BYU last weekend and currently sit in first place in the conference. Utah drops their third consecutive game to fall to 5-5 and will play at Colorado on Saturday night. If CU wins against Utah, next weekend’s game between the Rams and Buffaloes could be for first place in the RMLC conference tournament.
Explore All Brands
