Rams battle No. 25 Colorado to scoreless draw in 2017 season opener

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12:00 p.m.

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FORT COLLINS, Colo. – In the first match ever played at the new CSU Soccer Field, the Colorado State women's soccer team battled the 25th-ranked Colorado Buffaloes to a scoreless draw after 110 minutes of double-overtime action. The tie between the Rams and Buffaloes headlined the first day of The Colorado Cup.

Among the top performers for the Rams (0-0-1), was the tandem of goalkeepers Paige Brandt and Hunter Peifer. The duo, who each registered five saves in the contest, combined to hold the Buffaloes off the board throughout the entire 110 minutes.

The contest was full of opportunities for both programs, but the top moment of the match for the Rams came in the 60th minute. Junior Kaija Ornes fired a shot left-to-right from just outside the 18-yard box to the bottom corner of the goal, but the try glanced off the right post and was subsequently cleared away by Buffalo defenders.

On the other end of the action, Peifer made as nearly a meaningful play in goal the 74th minute. From just outside the box, Colorado's Tatum Barton shot a would-be goal towards the top right side of the net, but Peifer leaped and tipped the attempt above the net for a magnificent tip save. On the ensuing corner kick, Peifer came out of net to punch the ball away, and put the Rams back on the counter-attack.

The trend of CSU's stalwart defense continued throughout the 20 minutes of extra time, as the Rams held Colorado off the board despite a pair of late scoring chances. The Rams controlled the ball in the waning minutes of extra time, but the clock struck 110 minutes and Friday's action concluded in a draw.

The Rams finished with eight shots In front of an electric crowd at the new CSU Soccer facility. Ornes led the Rams with four shots, including one on goal. CSU senior midfielder Maddi Rodriguez registered a pair of shots on target, while freshman Taylor Steinke notched a couple of shots in her first collegiate start.

IN THEIR WORDS
Colorado State head coach Bill Hempen
On playing a ranked Colorado team early in the season:
"We played a Pac-12 team a week ago. We want to challenge our team, but we are all about scheduling appropriately. The confidence can continue to be the goal for us, whether we win or lose."

On the ability of the CSU freshmen to come in and contribute immediately:
"This is a good group of young ladies. Taylor (Steinke) came in and she was one of the top scoring kids on the fitness test. She came in, she prepared herself and this opportunity was not just given to her. I tell the girls that they earn their moment. Taylor earned her moment, Alyssa (Yoshida) earned her moment. They work well, and they blend well with our upperclassmen. They see what they bring to the table."

Senior midfielder Maddi Rodriguez
On the contributions of the freshmen:
"I think it's awesome that the freshman are able to come in and play right away. They are super strong kids, and it's awesome to have them in practice pushing us. It makes it competitive every day."

NOTES
- Friday marked the second time that Colorado State and Colorado have tied in women's soccer. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw in a 2015 matchup in Fort Collins, Colo.
- Four Colorado State freshmen made their debut in a CSU uniform on Friday night, including Ally Murphy-Pauletto, Emma Shinsky, Taylor Steinke and Alyssa Yoshida.
- Steinke made her first career collegiate start on Friday.
- Kaija Ornes' four shots on Friday were just one shy of her career high.
- Paige Brandt's five-save performance on Friday was her second performance with five saves or more as a Ram. The senior had nine saves against Iowa on September 2, 2016.

UP NEXT
The Colorado State women's soccer team continues action in The Colorado Cup with a Sunday neutral-site matchup against Denver in Boulder, Colo., on Sunday. Kick-off is set for 11 a.m. MT. The Rams defeated Denver, 2-0, In the most recent meeting between the two in-state rivals. Check CSURams.com or @CSURamsSoccer on Twitter for ways to follow the action.

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