Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
4-11-3, 3-4-1
Washington State
5-6-5, 2-3-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington St. | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Colorado St. | 1 | 1 | 2 |
10/31/2026 4:49:00 PM | Women's Soccer
CSU ended regular season with a home win
As the leaves surrounding Rams Field changed from green to gold and signified the end of a season, that wasn't quite the case for Colorado State.Â
Still holding out for tournament play, the Rams defeated Washington State 2-1 in their final home game of the season.Â
Finishing their inaugural Pac-12 regular season with a 4-11-3 overall record, Saturday's win kept the Rams in contention for postseason play. CSU slid into fourth place with 10 points, ahead of Gonzaga, but will need plenty of help from other teams to secure a spot.Â
"Nothing to lose, everything to gain. Unfortunately, we're in the position where we have to rely on other people now for us to make it through to the tournament. What we needed to do today we did, which is something I think we've lacked in the past, maybe in the beginning of the season, where we took our time a little bit for granted," senior Mia Casey said. "Now that we're nearing the end, you can really feel everybody taking care of every moment, valuing every moment, being grateful for the time we have out here. Honestly, that really showed today the way we're playing for each other."
With postseason play hopes still on the line, the Rams entered their final home game knowing a win was necessary to keep their season alive.Â
The game also marked the final time five seniors would take the field at home, giving them a reason to finish strong in front of family and friends. Â
The Rams started well and recorded five of their total 19 shots within seven minutes of each other, well above their 12.5 shot per game average. Â
Early in the match, Casey solidified her position in the record books, reaching 151 career shots and holding the No.1 spot in CSU history.Â
Feeding off her of success, Casey and the Rams continued the pressure against the Cougar defense until something finally clicked.Â
At 22 minutes into the first half, freshman Poppy O'Brien scored the first goal of the game and the first goal of her collegiate career.Â
"I saw the keeper off the line, I looked up, I was like, 'yeah, I'll give it a go'. It went in and I was super happy about it. I'm just so blessed," O'Brien said. "I just love playing with the girls, honestly, like such an amazing team. To get that goal was just a really awesome moment, my first college goal. So, yeah, I'll cherish that moment for a long time."Â
An unassisted goal, O'Brien gained control of the ball and sent a hard shot with her left foot into the far right side of the net.Â
O'Brien had appeared in 10 games during the regular season play, with her only previous point coming from an assist against Colorado College back in Sept.Â
Her goal marked the first time the Rams had scored in the first half since their win against Fresno State in early October.Â
"I feel like all season we've been creating and we've been saying that, and it's not gone in the back of the net," coach Keeley Hagen said. "It was good to finally put one in the back of the net because, again, it's not for lack of creation this whole season. I'm just proud of the fight and the grit and it feels good to win."
O'Brien's goal was not the only freshman milestone of the afternoon. Keeper Addison Huber also had a record moment and moved up CSU's single-season list finishing the season with 87 saves and climbing into third place in program history.Â
With a freshman goal and another record book accomplishment, the Rams entered the second half looking to build on their momentum.Â
As Hagen had emphasized throughout the season, the first five minutes were among the most important. However for the Rams, the opening minutes of the second half didn't go as planned. Â
Just three minutes into the half, a defensive breakdown led to an unmarked Cougar in the box. A pass traveled across the net before a redirected shot went off the post and over Huber's head into the back of the net, evening the score at 1-1.Â
For the Rams however, not all hope was lost.
CSU continued the pressure and had consistent tries, generating an additional five shots and creating additional chances in the box but struggling to find the back of the net.Â
After a throw-in and a missed ball by Washington State, Ava Wallhead found her footing and sent the ball into the upper-left corner of the net, securing the 2-1 lead for the Rams.
The late goal gave CSU the home victory it needed, ending its regular-season home schedule on a high note and keeping its postseason hopes alive.
With both goals coming from freshmen, the game highlighted the growth of a young CSU team. At the same time, the win marked the end of an era for five seniors who had played their final home game at Rams Field.
As the younger players continued to establish themselves, the seniors had begun looking toward what would come next for the program.
"I know CSU is in the hands of good people who care. I'm really hopeful for the future, I can't wait to follow them next season. The freshman group we have, I know they're really tight with each other," Casey said. "I'm so excited to see them grow with each other and for them to play like this their first year of college, it's really exciting."
For Casey, the final home game also marked the closing chapter of a four-year career that had left her among CSU's most accomplished players. She finished her time with the Rams having played 81 games and ranked second in career assists, third in points and game-winning goals, and fourth in career goals.
Having spent all four years at CSU, Casey had made the program and Fort Collins her life and home. Â
"I've told everybody this. I was looking for a college to stick with for all four years and that was why I chose CSU. I have zero regrets about being here for four years, despite what outside people might think," Casey said. "I have learned more from this place and staying loyal to this place than I think I could have doing anything else. I'm always going to be grateful for CSU, the community of Fort Collins, and the people that show up to our games. I'm really gonna miss it, but I know that, like I said, CSU's future is big and bright, and I'm ready to move on to my next chapter."Â
Although Saturday marked the final time the Rams played at home this season, their postseason hopes have not yet come to an end.Â
With a win behind them and a young group beginning to make its mark, CSU still has a chance to extend its season beyond Rams Field.Â
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Poppy O'Brien (1)
GOAL by CSU O'Brien, Poppy.
21:58
Reagan Brisendine (3)
Assisted By: Delaney Hawkins
GOAL by WSU Brisendine, Reagan Assist by Hawkins, Delaney.
48:57
Ava Wallhead (4)
Assisted By: Breckyn Ferrell
GOAL by CSU Wallhead, Ava Assist by Ferrell, Breckyn.
75:40
