Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
7-4-2, 2-2-1
Fresno State
1-6-6, 0-2-3
Rams Down Bulldogs in Fresno
10/5/2023 10:33:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Avery Vander Ven’s first Rams goal puts Colorado State back in the win column
FRESNO, Calif - Colorado State (7-4-2, MW: 2-2-1) hopped back into the win column on Thursday night with a 1-0 win over Fresno State (1-6-6, MW: 0-2-3).
ÂThe first 45 minutes were tough sledding for both teams who failed to find a score. The Bulldogs got the better of the Rams in the shots on goal department in the first half, sending two shots on goal toward Shayna Ross. Colorado State managed just one shot on goal in their multiple early chances in the first half.Â
ÂIt was clear from the beginning the Rams were going to push the pace on the offensive end, sometimes a bit too much as they were called for offsides four times in the first frame. The Rams are second in the Mountain West in offsides calls only behind San Diego State. However, that aggressiveness resulted in Colorado State being awarded eight corners throughout the matchup, a category they lead the conference in.Â
ÂIt was on the Rams' seventh corner kick that they found offensive success when Bulldog goaltender mishandled the ball from the corner kick putting it right at the feet of junior midfielder, Avery Vander Ven. Vander Ven fired the shot through multiple Bulldogs' defenders and scored the first goal of her Colorado State career.Â
ÂIt was all Colorado State the rest of the way as the Rams controlled play through the final 25 minutes. Ross and the Rams' backline held strong throughout the match resulting in the teams fifth shutout of the year tying the fourth best mark in program history set in 2017. It was a refreshing sight for the Rams who have allowed a goal in each of the last seven matches following their four-match shutout streak earlier this year.Â
ÂThe Rams move to 2-2-1 in the conference and pick up another three points as they look to earn a spot in the Mountain West Tournament in Laramie, Wyoming next montth. The Rams will stay in Northern California following the win to take on the Spartans of San Jose State (3-5-5, MW: 1-2-2) at 1 p.m., on Sunday. That match can be streamed on TheMW.com
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Team Stats
Avery Vander Ven (1)
GOAL by CSU Vander Ven, Avery.
64:47
