Rams Overwhelm Auburn with 23 Goals in Season Opening Victory
Arlington, TX

By Garrett Fitzgerald
February 11, 2005

Some say the first goal of a team's season will give a good prediction as to how the rest of the year will go; if there is any truth to that saying it's going to be a good year for the 2005 CSU Rams. Just 1:22 seconds after the opening face off freshmen Shay Cunningham (Algonquin HS, MA) executed a spectacular dive shot, becoming totally horizontal in the air before releasing the ball past the Auburn goaltender. His goal was the first of many against the Tigers as the Rams rolled to a 23-2 victory.

There would be a lot more to come for the Rams during their season opening game in Arlington, Texas as they led the quarter with eight straight goals on their way to a 9-1 lead after one. Pat Bird (Bishop O'Dowd HS, CA) a sophomore midfielder, led the charge for the rams scoring three goals in the opening period. Bird was outstanding scoring six goals and passing for one assist.

The Rams continued to dominate through the remaining quarters, while Auburn didn't help its cause with nine penalties for 8:00 mins. CSU scored on five of its extra man opportunities while holding Auburn scoreless on its five chances..

Substantial performances also came from seniors Nick Stanitz-Harper (Eaglecrest HS, CO) and Tim Farquhar (Collegiate HS, VA). Stanitz-Harper a senior captain led all attackmen in scoring with four goals. Farquhar lived up to his 1st team All-American billing, getting four goals and two assists.

Several new additions to the Ram's lineup also made an impact in the opener. Shay Cunningham showed what a valuable addition he will be by notching one goal, two assists, and scooping up five groundballs. Freshmen Ben Wallace (Thomas Jefferson HS, CO) was good for two goals in his first game.

On the defensive end for Colorado State, it was a solid overall effort holding Auburn to only two goals on nine shots on goal. Senior captain Ryan Price led the defense with three ground balls and two takeaways. Junior LSM Matt Reiss (Sycamore HS, OH) and sophomore defenseman Adam Schnirel (Mt. Lebanon HS, PA) each had two groundballs and two takeaways a piece.

All three active goalies for CSU saw time in the game. Junior third team All-American Pete Jokisch (Rockhurst Jesuit, KS) was solid in goal with three saves while freshman Tyson Ehinger (Salisbury Prep, CO) held Auburn scoreless in twenty minutes of work.

Notes:

- Seven of the teams goals came from new additions to the Rams
- This game was the first of a four game trip to Texas for CSU, tomorrow the Rams will square off against Texas Tech and #13 Texas A&M

Statistics:
SCORING: 


Colorado State
GOALS: Patrick Bird 6; Tim Farquhar 4; Nick Stanitz-Harper 4; Ben Wallace 2; Shay Cunningham 1; Michael Murphy 1; Lee Cates 1; Tyler
Bue 1; Tim Chorey 1; Ryan MacDonald 1; Dylan Bowman 1.
ASSISTS: Danny Stevens 3; Shay Cunningham 2; Tim Farquhar 2; Patrick Bird 1;
Michael Murphy 1.


Auburn  
GOALS: Barry 1; Bohlman 1.
ASSISTS: None.


SCORE BY PERIOD       1  2  3  4  Tot
-------------------------------------             
Auburn..............  1  0   0   1   2
Colorado State......  9  5   6   3  23     
      

GOALTENDER SUMMARY
Colorado State            Minutes   GA   W/L   1   2   3   4   Saves
------------------------------------------------------------------
3  Pete Jokisch........    30:00    1    W     2   1   0   0     3
22 Tyson Ehinger.......    20:06    0          0   0   1   2     3
71 Adam Taylor.........     9:54    1          0   0   0   1     1

Auburn                    Minutes   GA   W/L   1   2   3   4  Saves
------------------------------------------------------------------
8  Tyler...............    59:51    23    L    3   5   1   1    10
31 Zahand..............     0:09    0          0   0   0   0     0


SHOTS BY PERIOD       1  2  3  4  Tot
-------------------------------------             
Auburn..............  3  3  4  6 - 16               
Colorado State......  13 17 10  5 - 45           


SAVES BY PERIOD      1   2   3   4    Tot
-------------------------------------
Auburn..............  3   5    1   1  - 10
Colorado State......  2   1    1   3 -  7

GROUND BALLS BY PRD   1    2   3   4  Tot     
 -------------------------------------
Auburn..............  3    5   4   2 - 14        
Colorado State......  12  15   8   4 - 39
             
FACE-OFFS BY PRD       1     2     3     4     Total
----------------------------------------------------
Auburn..............  4-10  2-6   3-7   3-4  - 12-27
Colorado State......  6-10  4-6   4-7   1-4  - 15-27

CLEARS BY PERIOD       1     2     3     4     Total
----------------------------------------------------
Auburn..............  2-3   3-6   6-9   3-7  - 14-25
Colorado State......  6-6   7-8  10-11  8-9  - 31-34

EXTRA-MAN OPPS         1     2     3     4     Total
----------------------------------------------------
Auburn..............  0-0   0-1   0-1   0-3  -  0-5
Colorado State......  1-1   2-4   2-2   0-2  -  5-9
PENALTIES - AUBURN 9/8:00; CSU 5/4:30.