Colorado Cup Welcomes Rams into New Season

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Talk and anticipation of the season ends Thursday when the Colorado State soccer team kicks off against Colorado in the season opener as part of the Colorado Cup, which concludes Sunday at Denver with all teams involved.

For the fourth time in the program's nine years of existence, the Rams will start their season against the Buffaloes. Action begins Thursday at 4 p.m. at Prentup Field and will be streamed on the Pac-12 Network. In season-opening games, CSU is 3-2-3 all-time. CSU will continue their opening weekend Sunday against the Pioneers with a 2:30 p.m. MT kickoff.

The in-state tournament of the six Colorado NCAA DI soccer institutions started in 2011 and makes its return this season after a hiatus in 2019 and then the absence during the COVID-19 shortened 2020-21 season. The participating schools include the aforementioned teams plus Northern Colorado, Colorado College and Air Force.

"The Colorado Cup is pretty neat, and I don't even know the extent of it yet with this being my first time through, but I think it enhances the awareness and pride of soccer in the state," Hagen said. "Additionally, it gives us an opportunity to play some high-level teams that are in proximity, helping us prepare for conference season. Going into the weekend, I'm looking to see how our team is going to respond to the challenges brought on by CU and DU and to see our energy when facing those tests. By now, the rust should be knocked off of our student-athletes and it is more about getting comfortable with their teammates and positions to help create that environment that makes them perform better."

Both opponents this weekend for the Rams played in last season's NCAA Tournament, providing Hagen's squad an early test on the season. The Buffs concluded last season 9-6-2 and received an at-large bid, while the Pioneers won the Summit League Tournament, reached the second round of NCAAs and finished 17-3-1 overall. Of CSU's 10-game schedule, the Rams played seven and wound up 2-4-1 after their program-best 2019 campaign of 12-5-3.

CSU Soccer Notebook

How to Follow
Game 1 (CU) & 2 (DU) Live Stats: https://csura.ms/SOCStats
Game 1 (CU) Live Stream: https://csura.ms/37SzGkC
Game 2 (DU) Live Stream: https://csura.ms/3D7WED5

Exhibitions
- The Rams first action against a foe came versus Texas Tech after just five days of fall practice.

- Last Saturday, the Rams put in two goals - both from Gracie Armstrong. After an early game defensive lapse that resulted in a NC goal, the senior forward evened the score at 1-all in the 69th minute, but about a minute later the defense surrendered another UNC goal. In the 80th minute, Armstrong off a Caroline Lucas assist, equalized it at 2-all, which was the final score after OT. Although an exhibition, the game did count towards the Colorado Cup.

Hagen at the Helm
- On Aug. 1st, Keeley Hagen, formerly Keeley Dowling, was named the second-ever head soccer coach at CSU. Hagen was a three-time All-American at Tennessee and played professionally before her 14 years of assistant coaching experience at Tennessee and most recently, Texas.

Colorado State Notes
- Fifteen letterwinners return including 11 starters, however only six of those student-athletes would of been considered starters after the last full season in 2019. Eleven newcomers make up the roster with 10 freshmen and one transfer.

- Gracie Armstrong represents the top point returner with her six from last season and 18 in her career, which is No. 4 on CSU's all-time list. Her five career goals is tied sixth all-time, while she already holds the career (8) and individual season assist records (8).

- Another key returner on the offensive front is senior Kristen Noonan who has six career CSU goals. She had five at Cal State Fullerton as a freshman.

- A veteran in the midfield that will rise CSU's all-time lists in games started and minutes will be senior Sam Studt.

Colorado Cup
-Although all teams do not play each other, a champion is awarded based on overall record in the competition. Each team has three designated Colorado Cup games as agreed on by the six participating programs. Similar to the World Cup, teams are awarded three points for a win and one point for a tie. If the teams are tied on points, the first tiebreaker will be goal differential, followed by goals scored. The objective from the start was to give our college athletes something special about their college careers to remember, not just another round of games in their lives.

- For full history, head to Colorado Cup Central |https://csura.ms/3CX6A1Z

- The Rams best finish is second place in 2015.

- CU has won the cup five times since its inception in 2011, the last time coming in 2016. CC won in 2018 and NC in 2017.

2021 Colorado Cup Table
Place     Team     Points   MP         GD          GF          GA
1              DEN       3              1              2              3              1
2              CU          3              1              2              2              0
3              CSU        1              1              0              2              2
                UNC       1              1              0              2              2
5              CC           0              1              -2            1              3
6              AFA        0              1              -2            0              2

Series History
- All five of the CSU/CU meetings have been in the Colorado Cup with the Buffaloes holding the 2-0-3 edge. Both CU wins came at Prentup Field. The past two meetings have resulted in ties. Only two current Rams, Sam Studt and Baylee Bedard, played in the 2018 game.

- CSU leads the series with DU at 3-1-1. All but the latest meeting in 2019, which was a 1-0 overtime win for the Rams, have been in the Colorado Cup. The two teams have only played each other at DU once, a 1-1 tie in 2018, as Boulder hosted the Cup in 2015 and 2017. Eight current Rams played in the 2019 game including starters Kristen Noonan, Sam Studt, Kaitlyn Abrams, Liv Layton and Kendra Gipson.

Buffaloes Notes
- CU returned to action with a 2-0 exhibition win over Air Force on Aug. 14th. Goals came from Rachel Rosen and Shanade Hopcroft with the latter coming off an assist from Shrya James.

- The Buffs return 16 of its 17 goals scored. Key returners include First Team All-Pac 12 senior Hannah Sharts, Third Team recipients Hopcroft and Dani Hansen in goal.

- Last season, CU went 9-6-2 overall and 5-4-2 in conference play. After selection into the NCAA Tournament, CU lost to South Alabama in the first round.

Pioneers Notes
- DU returned to the field with a 3-1 exhibition win over Colorado College on Aug. 14th. Goals came from Sami Feller and two by Sydney Sharp with assists from Natalie Beckman and Taylor Parker.

- The Pioneers were picked to win the Summit League and are coming off a 17-3-1 overall record including a 14-1-1 conference slate. For the third time in program history, DU advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

- DU welcomes back 21 letterwinners, nine of which are starters, and have nine newcomers on the roster.

For More on Colorado State Women's Soccer follow: Twitter – CSUFutbol | Instagram – csufutbol | Facebook – Colorado State Soccer

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