In a game befitting the #2 and #3 seeds, State and State punched and counter-punched like a couple of heavyweights, as Sonoma scored the first two, but Colorado (State) answered and took a 4-3 lead by the end of the first quarter. It was a lead the Rams would never give up. CSU led 11-9 after three, then held off a furious fourth quarter surge of energy by the Cossacks.
Once again the CSU defense, this time anchored by Cale Vanvelkenburgh in the goal, was stingy. The talented Cossack middies tried time and time again to take the CSU middies one on one to the goal, but the Rams held them mostly in check, making Sonoma work hard for every shot, and every goal, all game long. Freshman all star middie, M.J. Crickmore did have five goals for Sonoma on the night.
After the game, CSU coach Flip Naumburg applauded the effort of his team, “Everyone was part of this win. This is the best game that a team of mine has played. Both teams played great. The ball was hardly ever on the ground, and when it was, it didn’t stay down long”.
One Sonoma player was gracious in defeat, saying, “CSU beat us fair and square in a hard fought, tear-kerking game.” This underscores the respect that these teams have for one another.
Attackmen Mike Roth led the Ram attack by throwing in 5 goals, and also helped his team by coming down from attack to play the wing middie position on face-offs, and getting numerous ground balls. Senior midielder Brian Linehan found the net three times, and attackman Ryan Ferrin had 1 goal and two assists. The Rams, who had been solid at #3 since November in the USLIA polls, will now move up, with a chance to capture #1 when they play Simon Fraser at 3:00 p.m. Saturday in the Championship game.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| CSU | 4 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 12 |
| Sonoma | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 11 |