Rams Build Four-Game Unbeaten Streak with Win Over Air Force

Calendar

Show:/

Sep 14

12:00 p.m.

Women's Soccer

at Denver

Sep 19

6:00 p.m.

Women's Soccer

at Omaha

Sep 25

7:00 p.m.

Women's Soccer

at Utah State

Sep 28

12:00 p.m.

Women's Soccer

at Boise State

Oct 5

12:00 p.m.

Women's Soccer

vs UNLV

Olivia Fout needed only one good opportunity to ground Air Force with a rocket to the top-right corner in Sunday's match at the Colorado State Soccer Complex.

In the 60th minute, she was assisted by Sofia Coulombe and Liv Stutzman, who sent a ball wide which Fout cut back to the middle before blasting the ball goalward to eventually seal the game, 1-0.

After a frustrating first half, Fout's winner tied the CSU record for goals in a single season with 11, a mark set in 2019 by Caeley Lordemann.

"I'm proud of Fout and the team for getting her into those situations," head coach Keeley Hagen said. "You've got to have goal scorers, that's the name of the game, but it certainly takes everybody. Fout's putting the ball in the back of the net and there's certainly other players who are getting opportunities, but I'm proud of her execution."

Her moment of brilliant finishing made up for a lack thereof in the first half. The best chance of the frame was by Jessica Shivers, who had the ball and some space around her from about 10 yards out but put a shot wide.

While CSU outshot Air Force 7-4 in the first half, possession was controlled by the Falcons for much of the period, much to the dismay of Hagen.

"I told the team at halftime, 'yeah, that's probably the worst half we've played up to this point,' just a lot of self-inflicted stuff," Hagen said. "So, I really challenged them on their response and just getting back to the basics and they had a much better second half across the board."

The pushback created by the Rams included Fout's goal but was also thanks to the effort from midfielders Mia Casey and Stutzman, both of whom tirelessly fought to gain possession back on multiple occasions.

Air Force registered six more shots in the second half, but the defense held strong thanks to six saves from goalkeeper Shayna Ross and increased effort by the back line.

"It was all about our fight in the second half," Leighton said. "I think we came out in the second half ready to get a goal and I'm just super proud of this team. That's kind of the definition of this team, we're never going to stop fighting."

Then the laser from Fout. Only three of the Rams' 11 total shots were on target, but they needed only her right leg to secure three points.

Just like her 10 other goals this season, it was about poise, calmness and carrying out the job.

"We're always talking about execution; you know, you don't always get 10-15 shots per game, but you get that one," Fout said. "You just have to execute it. It's just looking down and executing the chances you get, not getting frustrated and just leaning on my teammates and finishing the chances."

With a Nevada win over conference leaders San Diego State and wins by Boise State and Utah State on Sunday, the Mountain West race tightened down significantly. With three games left in the conference schedule, only six points separate No. 1 and No. 5. The Rams sit in the No. 4 spot with 14 points.

Hagen knows her team is in a good position to make a run at a conference title. All there's left to do is keep improving towards a complete match of solid play, an achievement they've been after all season. The next opportunity to do so will be Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. when they travel to New Mexico.

"The goal is to get closer and closer (to their best soccer) every game," Hagen said. "I'm proud of our second half response today and we're trying to put together a full 90. It's kind of been up and down but the team is starting to see for themselves that when they are disciplined in the details, they give themselves a much better chance of winning."

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results