Colorado State University Athletics
Program Ready for Grand Weekend
8/21/2024 12:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
CSU women’s soccer excited about new home
They say home is where the heart is, but Colorado State women's soccer heart has been unhoused for some time now.
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In the 11 years that CSU has had a Division I women's soccer team, the players have never had their own field for practices and games. In the early years, the program even spent time at the CSU Lagoon.
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They now have their own complex, complete with lights, stands and fresh green grass for the Rams to start building their community.
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Protecting the home turf starts with the complex's grand opening on Sunday at 1 p.m., when CSU takes on California Baptist. The Rams previously held an exhibition game against Idaho State earlier this month, and they want to finish the game with more than a tie.
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Both CAM mascots will be in attendance, with inflatables and a face-painting booth on site starting 90 minutes before kickoff. Executive staff, coaches and the Bohemian Foundation will receive Golden Commemorative soccer balls prior to the game.
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"Last summer, we were practicing at the Canvas practice field or Rocky Mountain High School," sophomore Mia Casey said. "You're just kind of jumping around, but it's super cool to have beautiful grass to play on. I've never had a home grass field so it's awesome."
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Having a new facility means more than grass and lights; it means massive things for how the team interacts and develops a culture around its new representation on campus.
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Taking ownership of the new field is a pivotal part of women's soccer's development as a program. That extends to the two first-year students coming onto the roster this year, with leadership development becoming a significant focus for coaches and veterans of the close-knit group.
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"(It is) freshmen getting up in front of the group and having to present how they are going to get better today, how they are going to lead," coach Keeley Hagen said. "So, when you start doing that, you're depositing leadership and growth in a piggy bank. Now it's fourth- and fifth-years that have a ton of investment into themselves."
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That investment translates into player-to-player relationships. With a smaller roster of 23 this year, the lineup's veterans focus on ensuring the newer members feel welcome and know their presence matters.
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"We're really close," senior Liv Stutzman said. "We're more like a family than ever before. I've seen this team develop into a very disciplined type of team. I think every single person plays such a crucial role, and they're owning that role and stepping into that role."
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The two incoming freshmen, midfielder Madi Audet and forward Kaja Dionne, are accompanied by Maggie Altman, a transfer from Nebraska, as newer additions to the roster.
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These new recruits have much to add to Hagen's extensive list of achievements as head coach. The former professional soccer player led the Rams to two Mountain West tournament appearances in 2021 and 2023 – where they reached the title game -- and she's looking for more.
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"How can we be first?" Hagen said. "How can we be the leaders in what we're doing? And having that facility for recruits to come out there and say, 'Hey, this is ours. This is our own,' especially for a women's soccer program is absolutely massive."
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As Hagen's tenure as head coach continues, the new pitch is just a steppingstone to more incredible things. The group already has its fair share of moments to call home about, and this year, the team wishes to build the culture even more while shooting for a Mountain West title.
Â
"There's a lot of memories," Stutzman said. "There's a foundation that we built on that field, having that pride that we have an established home field and protecting that turf."
Â
With nine home dates this year, the team will make good use of the Rams Soccer Field and continue to protect its turf until the end of the year.
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In the 11 years that CSU has had a Division I women's soccer team, the players have never had their own field for practices and games. In the early years, the program even spent time at the CSU Lagoon.
Â
They now have their own complex, complete with lights, stands and fresh green grass for the Rams to start building their community.
Â
Protecting the home turf starts with the complex's grand opening on Sunday at 1 p.m., when CSU takes on California Baptist. The Rams previously held an exhibition game against Idaho State earlier this month, and they want to finish the game with more than a tie.
Â
Both CAM mascots will be in attendance, with inflatables and a face-painting booth on site starting 90 minutes before kickoff. Executive staff, coaches and the Bohemian Foundation will receive Golden Commemorative soccer balls prior to the game.
Â
"Last summer, we were practicing at the Canvas practice field or Rocky Mountain High School," sophomore Mia Casey said. "You're just kind of jumping around, but it's super cool to have beautiful grass to play on. I've never had a home grass field so it's awesome."
Â
Having a new facility means more than grass and lights; it means massive things for how the team interacts and develops a culture around its new representation on campus.
Â
Taking ownership of the new field is a pivotal part of women's soccer's development as a program. That extends to the two first-year students coming onto the roster this year, with leadership development becoming a significant focus for coaches and veterans of the close-knit group.
Â
"(It is) freshmen getting up in front of the group and having to present how they are going to get better today, how they are going to lead," coach Keeley Hagen said. "So, when you start doing that, you're depositing leadership and growth in a piggy bank. Now it's fourth- and fifth-years that have a ton of investment into themselves."
Â
That investment translates into player-to-player relationships. With a smaller roster of 23 this year, the lineup's veterans focus on ensuring the newer members feel welcome and know their presence matters.
Â
"We're really close," senior Liv Stutzman said. "We're more like a family than ever before. I've seen this team develop into a very disciplined type of team. I think every single person plays such a crucial role, and they're owning that role and stepping into that role."
Â
The two incoming freshmen, midfielder Madi Audet and forward Kaja Dionne, are accompanied by Maggie Altman, a transfer from Nebraska, as newer additions to the roster.
Â
These new recruits have much to add to Hagen's extensive list of achievements as head coach. The former professional soccer player led the Rams to two Mountain West tournament appearances in 2021 and 2023 – where they reached the title game -- and she's looking for more.
Â
"How can we be first?" Hagen said. "How can we be the leaders in what we're doing? And having that facility for recruits to come out there and say, 'Hey, this is ours. This is our own,' especially for a women's soccer program is absolutely massive."
Â
As Hagen's tenure as head coach continues, the new pitch is just a steppingstone to more incredible things. The group already has its fair share of moments to call home about, and this year, the team wishes to build the culture even more while shooting for a Mountain West title.
Â
"There's a lot of memories," Stutzman said. "There's a foundation that we built on that field, having that pride that we have an established home field and protecting that turf."
Â
With nine home dates this year, the team will make good use of the Rams Soccer Field and continue to protect its turf until the end of the year.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer2025 Soccer Experience
Thursday, October 09
Colorado State Soccer: Fout (L), Hagen (M), McGowan (R) (9/1/25)
Monday, September 01
Colorado State Soccer: Mia Casey (L) & Kate Dunne (R) (8/6/25)
Wednesday, August 06
Colorado State Soccer: Keeley Hagen Media (8/6/25)
Wednesday, August 06