Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
4-3-5, 1-0-3
Utah State
5-3-5, 2-1-1
Rams Hang on For a Third Straight Draw
10/2/2022 5:17:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Their point streak extends to five games
Despite a cloudy, gray sky, Sunday afternoon's game was far from gloomy between Colorado State and Utah State. The Rams and Aggies zipped through a cool breeze and provided the heat for the biggest crowd at CSU Field this season with plenty of back-and-forth drama.
The Rams played perhaps their most exciting game of the season at home that didn't end with a win. Instead, they came back twice from a goal down to claw to a 2-all draw. They remain undefeated in conference play despite only scoring one win against San Diego State.
"I'm proud of us for coming back. It definitely looked as if we were pushing for goals," coach Keeley Hagen said. "It was a much better response today than it was compared to Thursday."
The action was flowing right from the get-go with the Rams and Aggies trading blows on the attack in the opening 5 minutes. It left the middle third of the pitch open and vulnerable to attacks from either side.
The space ended up costing the Rams. Midfielder Liv Layton gave the ball away to the Aggies' Alex Day who unleashed a 40-yard strike into the top corner of the net after catching CSU goalkeeper Maddie Ogden out of position.
"As a senior, one of the big things is taking accountability and I take full responsibility for that pass," Layton said. "I could've played an easier pass; I decided to take a risk and that's something I will learn from."
The Rams were a little shaken by the goal, as they then found the next 15 minutes somewhat stressful. On the back foot against an attacking Aggies team, the Rams were just looking for any sort of ball forward to get a glimpse of the net.
Long balls were the majority of presses forward by Colorado state, which looked out to its wingers to get the ball and serve it into the box. While the Rams couldn't quite get that method to work out, their first goal came from a served-in ball from a corner kick which found a defender on the end of it.
"One of the biggest things is staying switched on," goal-scorer Taylor Bee said. "If I can do that for my team and hopefully give them energy, that's my biggest goal."
CSU fans were delighted by the drama they were getting, as neither team slowed down after drawing level. The midfield battles were impressive, defense became a critical aspect for both sides to try and keep their respective attackers hungry for more.
After leaving the first 45 minutes even, it wouldn't take long again for the Rams to fall behind as the Aggies just 5 minutes in would get another go-ahead goal. However, this didn't last long as a familiar name this time ended up on the goal sheet.
"I'll be completely honest, I looked, turned, and took a shot and next thing I looked up and you know my teammates are screaming," Layton said. "I think my teammates are the ones that pushed me to continue; I was just ready to keep going."
Layton's fourth goal of the season extends her lead as the top goal scorer on the team, doubling her total from last season. Her strike into the bottom left corner would give the Rams some momentum as they pushed for a winner. Midfielder Kaitlyn Abrams found the ball a couple of times at her feet but sent her shots sailing wide.
Their momentum was suddenly stopped as the Aggies themselves pressed heavily for a winner. They went as far as to test second-half netminder Emilie Gavillet to make three key saves in the dying minutes and a couple of times crashing into her, leaving her in pain and her defense to back her up with their hard work.
"It's definitely something I work hard at and comes naturally," Bee said. "It's great to hear my teammates do appreciate that but it's something I like to do day in and day out."
With the first third of Mountain West play in the rearview mirror, the Rams still have their eyes ahead looking for glory. Despite only one win in conference play, they sit third in the standings with six points, just one behind the leading Aggies.
Even with three straight draws, Hagen's side and the team will take the points they can and run with them. It'd been echoed throughout the team as long they don't lose, they've got a great chance ahead of them.
"For us, it's just cleaning things that are self-inflicting," Hagen said. "We can clean those things up as we move forward; proud of our team and how they responded, and we got a point, so we'll take it."
The Rams head onto the road one final time this season for yet another four-game trip to Nevada and Southern Colorado. The action starts next week in the desert as the bright lights of Las Vegas are calling as CSU faces UNLV on Oct. 6 at 8 p.m.
Team Stats
Alex Day (1)
GOAL by USU Day, Alex.
04:47
Taylor Bee (1)
GOAL by CSU Bee, Taylor.
19:26
Sammie Murdock (3)
Assisted By: Rine Yonaha
GOAL by USU Murdock, Sammie Assist by Yonaha, Rine.
50:44
Liv Layton (4)
GOAL by CSU Layton, Liv.
62:26
