The #2 ranked Colorado State Rams welcomed #13 Colorado into Fort Collins under unusually sunny skies and relatively warm weather on Saturday. The game was close early, but the Rams methodically picked away at the Buffs and won going away, 17-6 in a game that was very tightly officiated.
The Rams were led by the strong play of Pat Lambert and Nate Mueller, who dominated the face-off circle against some very talented CU midfielders. The CSU attack trio, Ryan Davis (6 goals, 0 assists), Mike Napolilli (3g, 3a), and Mike Roth (3g, 0a) combined for twelve of seventeen goals on the day. Jared Katz (3g, 0a) had arguably his best game as a Ram, scoring on a couple of spectacular dodges and beating talented CU goalie Chris Bluse.
A total of 31 penalties were called in the game, including five unsportsmanlike calls and an out of control fan attacking a referee. The game had to be stopped for fifteen minutes until security could arrive to handle the situation. Special teams were key for Colorado State as they scored on five man-ups and killed off fifteen of their own penalties.
The defense was anchored by Cale VanVelkinburgh (19 saves, 6 goals against) and Pat Coy. Mark Plonkey, Ryan Robichaud, and Jeremy Smith all played extremely well on defense for the Rams. Colorado was led by Noah Kaufman (2g, 1a), Jay Erickson (2g, 0a) and Mike Ross (2g, 0a) as well as some good goaltending from Bluse (12 saves, 17 goals against).
Next up for CSU (2-0 overall, 1-0 league) is the much anticipated match-up with #1 Brigham Young University next weekend after games with Northern Colorado and Utah Valley State.
The University of Colorado (1-1 overall, 1-0 league) will host Denver’s club team and Air Force’s JV next weekend.
| No. | Position | Player | Goals | Assists | Points |
| 16 | Attack | Davis, Ryan | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 11 | Attack | Napolilli, Mike | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 9 | Midfield | Katz, Jared | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 13 | Attack | Roth, Mike | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 21 | Midfield | Hasson, Jim | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 19 | Midfield | Husson, Loren | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 23 | Midfield | Nelson, Kale | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 12 | Midfield | Priebe, Doug | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 25 | Midfield | Naab, John | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 17 | Defense | Plonkey, Mark | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 15 | Defense | Robichaud, Ryan | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | Midfield | Sisbarro, Adam | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| No. | Position | Player | Saves | Goals Against | Save % |
| 26 | Goaltender | Smith, Alex | 4 | 1 | 0.800 |
| 1 | Goaltender | VanVelkinburgh, Cale | 19 | 6 | 0.760 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| CSU | 6 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 17 |
| CU | – | – | – | – | 7 |