Soccer Match Notes: Rams look to get on winning track

Sept. 10, 2014

Rams Look To Get On Winning Track

After a rough weekend that saw the Rams out-scored 7-0 in two home matches vs. Portland State and Iowa, Colorado State returns to action with two home matches this weekend. CSU first takes on SMU, looking for revenge against a Mustangs squad that delivered the Rams a 4-0 loss in 2013. After SMU, CSU will match up against the College of Charleston on Sunday.

The Colorado State Rams embark on the program's second season ever with a schedule featuring some of the premier programs in the sport. On the year, the Rams will play 10 matches at home, eight on the road and one at a neutral site.

The Iron Woman

Through four matches this season, only senior defender Jami Vaughn has played every possible minute in the field for the Rams. This a familiar sight for Colorado State, as the Kansas transfer was one of just three players in the entire Mountain West to play every possible minute in 2013. Dating back to last year when she first came to Colorado State, Vaughn has now plaed every possible minute in 22-consecutive matches, a streak that spans 1,986 minutes without a sub.

Depth is Key

Head Coach Bill Hempen has not been afraid to go to his bench early in this 2014 season. As the team continues to improve upon its fitness and experiment with different lineups, Hempen has played 24 different girls already this season, with all 24 girls seeing action in at least two matches. 

A Pair Of Wins For The Rams Will...

Give Colorado State its first winning streak in program history.

Improve CSU to 3-3-0 in 2014, giving the program a .500 winning percentage.

Improve the Rams to 3-2-0 at home this year.

Improve Head Coach Bill Hempen's career record to 281-201-46. He currently ranks No. 19 among Division I active coaches in all-time wins.

Experience At The Back

While Colorado State returns just nine players from last year's team, the 2014 Rams feature plenty of experence at key positions. CSU returns its entire starting defense from last year, including co-captains Megan Speed and Jami Vaughn. Speed and Vaughn are also flanked on the outside by Jessica Stauffer and Catherine Ruder, who each give the Rams valuable leadership and strong attacking options from the back. Out of a possible 22 matches, Speed, Vaughn, Stauffer and Ruder have been the starting defense for 19 of them. In 2013, Stauffer missed two matches due to a broken wrist.

Jumping On The Opponent Early

Colorado State knows the importance of getting off to a quick start in a match. An early goal can completely tilt the entire momentum of the match. All three of the Rams' wins have come when they have scored the first goal. All-time, CSU is 3-0-1 when scoring first, and 0-16-0 all-time when conceding the first goal of the match.

Second Half Action

In Colorado State's four matches this season, the games have started to open up in the second half. Across the board, CSU's stats have gone up across the board in the second half of matches. While the Rams have mustered just five total shots in the first half of matches this season, that total jumps to 20 in the second half of matches. Over 2/3 of all of CSU's corner kicks have also come in the second half, and the Rams' lone goal was scored in the second half.

Fresh Faces

Fans can expect to see plenty of fresh faces on the 2014 Rams. The second-year program brings in a total of 18 newcomers, including 11 freshmen and seven transfers. The new additions are expected to give the Rams plenty of competition and depth.

Colorado Cup

With a win over Northern Colorado, Colorado State earned its first win in the Colorado Cup. The Colorado Cup is a season-long tournament between the six division I teams in Colorado. This is CSU's first year as part of the Colorado Cup, which Head Coach Bill Hempen helped create. 

The Rams lost their first match of the Colorado Cup, 2-0 at Colorado, and knocked off UNC 1-0 at home. With three points through two matches, the Rams are in a tie for fourth.

2014 Colorado Cup Table

Pl. Team Pts. GP GD

1. Colorado 6 2 +3

2. Denver 3 2 0

- Colorado College 3 2 0

4. Colorado State 3 2 -1

- Northern Colorado 3 2 -1

6. Air Force 0 1 -1

The Lagoon - Home of the Rams

Located on the field just east of the Lory Student Center on the Colorado State campus, The Lagoon serves as the Home of Rams Soccer. 

Free parking will be available for all CSU home matches in the Moby lot. 

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