Ann Arbor, Michigan- On paper, it was a game the Colorado State Rams should have won. In actuality, the Rams did win the first three quarters, but gave up the final four goals of the game to the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs in the fourth quarter to lose 9-8.<!--more--> Minnesota-Duluth scored 7 of the final 8 goals in the game, in fact. “I feel like we lost intensity later in the game,” reflected Colorado State coach Flip Naumburg. On paper, the Rams had more shots, more groundballs won, a better face-off percentage, a better clear percentage, and had more goals per man-up opportunity. And while both teams had ten turnovers, the Rams had their turnovers when it cost them the most: in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs also had more groundballs and shots taken in the fourth. “I give them (Minnesota-Duluth) all the credit. They held in there and took advantage of our mistakes later in the game,” said Naumburg. Colorado State started off strong, scoring the first four goals of the game after shots by Paul Larson (Columbine HS; CO), Cooper Kehoe (Stevenson HS; CA), Garrett Fugier (Regis Jesuit HS; CO), and Matt Jui (Columbine HS; CO). They also limited Minnesota-Duluth to only one goal in the first half to close it out 4-1. But that’s where the buck stops for the Rams. The Bulldogs matched their four goal effort in the third quarter, but, unlike the Bulldogs, the Rams couldn’t find the net in the fourth. Minnesota-Duluth took the scorers out of the game for Colorado State by limiting them to only one goal each. The Rams’ defense played well the whole game, but without much support from the offense later in the game there wasn’t much they could do. “This one hurts. You hate to lose a game you think you’re in control of,” commented Coach Naumburg after the game. olorado State has 6 days to shake off this disappointing trip to Michigan and prepare for the Rocky Mountain Showdown they are co-hosting along with the University of Denver Pioneers next Saturday, April 11th. Colorado State is playing against the Lindenwood Lions at 4 p.m. with Denver playing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the earlier game at 1:30 p.m. The Rams will have another short turn-around as they face Sonoma State at 1 p.m. at the Colorado State campus the next day.
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