Rams Take the Lead and the Victory
After a back-and-forth battle in the first two quarters, the Rams assert their dominance after halftime to take the lead and never look back.The Rams came into the contest winning three in a row, facing a Utah opponent who hadn’t lost to an unranked team yet this season, making it tough to determine how the two would fare against one another in the lacrosse match.
Senior midfielder Mason Daly (#18) shined with 5 goals and a caused turnover to lead the Rams, while Jimmy Ponicki (#34) added two goals and an assist. Ryan Menard (#53) also had three points, scoring one and adding two assists.
On the defensive end, Junior LSM Kaden Rahne (#20) and Freshman Kai Skaer (#76) were noticeable influences on a Utah offense that struggled to score consistently.
Both Rams goalies Senior Chuck Bibaud (#33) and Freshman Eli Goth (#99) made saves in key moments throughout the lacrosse match to keep the Rams within striking distance, and later to protect their lead on the way to victory.
Plays on the Field
The Rams started slow despite winning faceoffs to start the game. The 0-2 hole they were in was cut in half when attackman Tanner Marsh (#91) scored on a feed from Ryan Menard.
End of First Quarter | Rams 1 – Utes 2
To start the second quarter, Captain Mason Daly erased the Colorado State deficit completely, scoring on a pass from Hudson Murphy (#9). The Utes would answer, scoring two in a row of their own. Daly would double-down, scoring his second and returning the Rams to within one.
Jimmy Ponicki got on the scoresheet while simultaneously tying the game at 4 a piece. The Utes would respond to the tie again by scoring one of their own before halftime.
Halftime | Rams 4 – Utes 5
Coming out of halftime, Mason Daly would complete the hat trick, but both he and the Rams weren’t done yet. Next up was Jack Rego (#22), who would predictably get on the scoresheet, scoring off a feed from Ryan Menard.
The barrage continued, as Freshman Brandon Krause (#10) would beat the goalie with a well-placed shot, tucked against the far pipe. After assisting two of his teammates, Ryan Menard would get a goal of his own, with Brandon Krause getting the helper and his second point on consecutive scores.
It was now Daly who was back on duty, scoring again, his fourth goal putting the Rams up by four. Utah would finally answer with a goal of their own before the end of the quarter
End of Third Quarter | Rams 9 – Utes 6
Utah went on a run of their own to start the fourth, scoring two more to make it a one-score game. The Rams lacrosse team responded when Ponicki scored his second of the match, giving them a bit of breathing room down the stretch.
Mason Daly would put his final stamp on the game, scoring his fifth goal, which proved to be the final goal of the lacrosse match.
Final | Rams 11 – Utes 8
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Junior LSM Kaden Rahne
Next Up
Colorado State @ Utah Tech
Sunday, April 5 @1PM MDT | Greater Zion Stadium
