For the second game in a row, the Rams were victimized by a late game-winner as FSU’s Adam McCall finished a shot on the crease with just :51 remaining.
Florida State opened the scoring with 13:58 on the clock in the first quarter before CSU ran off four straight goals to take a 4-1 lead. Freshman Collin Zines (San Clemente HS; San Clemente, CA) scored two goals in the first to help CSU get out in front. The ‘Noles made it 4-2 at the end of the first.
From there, Florida State controlled much of the action for the next two quarters, outscoring CSU 9-2 over that time frame. Davis and Will Goodman were instrumental in getting Florida State back in the game and accounted for five of FSU’s goals during the middle two quarters. At the end of three, CSU trailed 11-6.
Zines opened the scoring in the fourth as CSU began to find some rhythm offensively and just 4:30 into the quarter, CSU found itself down just 11-9. After McCall made it 12-9 for Florida State, the Rams went on another run, getting a man-up goal by AJ Stewart (Fort Collins HS; Fort Collins, CO) with 5:19 remaining. Then, sophomore Luke Ramsey (Cathedral Catholic HS; San Diego, CA) scored his second goal of the game to make it a one-goal affair. On the ensuing face-off, senior Casey Joy (Douglas County HS; Castle Rock, CO) tied the game on a spectacular groundball and run-out.
After some back and forth play late, Florida State’s Davis Goodman took the ball out of bounds, beat his man and fed McCall on the crease for the 13-12 lead. CSU had several chances late, but were unable to find the back of the net.
Davis Goodman led all scorers with four goals and one assist while McCall had a hat-trick for FSU as well. CSU was led by Zines, who had three goals, Stewart’s two goals and one assist and then two goals each by Ramsey and Joy.
CSU outshot the Seminoles 52-32, including 16 in the final quarter. The Rams won the groundball battle as well by 34-27. After starting slowly on face-offs, the Rams found a spark on the draws as well and pulled even with FSU by the end of the game. The most telling stat of the day was the save line for Seminole goaltender Spencer Talbot, who tallied 21 saves in the victory.
Colorado State (5-3 overall; 1-0 RMLC) has lost three in a row for the first time in MCLA history. It doesn’t get any easier for the Rams, who now face two top-five teams next weekend as Grand Canyon and Chapman come to Fort Collins on Thursday and Saturday respectively. CSU is sure to drop in the polls after the two one-goal losses this weekend and will have a tall mountain to climb to get back in the race in an increasingly competitive top half of the MCLA.