After Colorado battled back from a 6-3 deficit in the midway through the fourth quarter to the tie the game, the two teams settled into some emotional play on both sides of the field. With about 3:00 left in the game, junior defender Adam Schnirel (Mt. Lebanon HS; Pittsburgh, PA) made the play of the day when he stripped an offensive player, picked up the loose ball and carried it over to the offensive end. With no one sliding to him, Schnirel created a fast break opportunity and fed Stevens, who flashed it over to a wide open Treece for the game-winner. Stevens had a career high six assists on the day and got the helper on each of Treece's four goals, none of which were more important than the last one. Stevens's effort was particularly noteworthy considering the Colorado spent most of the day shutting him off.

Just as in their last meeting, Colorado jumped out to an early lead when Tyler Wood scored off the game's opening face-off. But Treece and Stevens combined to answer the goal only moments later. After CU scored again midway through the first period, the Rams scored four goals over thirty minutes of game time while holding the Buffs scoreless until late in the third. Freshman midfielder Stephen Lundberg (Cherry Creek HS; Englewood, CO) continued his breakout season by assisting on two goals during the run. He also added a tally in the fourth quarter to give him three points on the day.

Colorado continued to have great success on face-offs as CSU struggled for the second day in a row. Tyler Wood and Zachary Hartman went a combined 12 of 19 on draws. Wood also added a goal and an assist to tie for the team lead in points. He was one of four Buffaloes with two points on the day as midfielder Brian Morgan and attackmen Andrew Upah and Jon Atwood each played well. CSU's Kellin Bershinsky (Poudre HS; Fort Collins, CO) and Schnirel kept CU's Jason Anderson in check for the second straight game, holding the talented attackman to only one assist.

Colorado State continued to be plagued by penalties, but the man-down unit was up to the task against the Buffaloes. CSU killed six of seven extra-man chances by the Buffs while the Rams' EMO went 2 of 4 on the day. Goaltender Pete Joksich (Rockhurst Jesuit; Overland Park, KS) atoned for his sub-par effort against Utah by posting 12 saves. He made some stellar stops in the fourth quarter to keep Colorado from gaining the lead.

Aside from Stevens and Treece's big outputs, CSU got two huge goals from junior Pat Bird (Bishop O'Dowd HS; Oakland, CA). Kurt Nakazono (George Washington HS; Denver, CO), Jay Matlin (Boulder HS; Boulder, CO) and Matt Reiss (Sycamore HS; Cincinnati, OH) were all excellent from the long pole position as well.

CSU's record now stands at 14-3 on the year. After seedings for the USL-MDIA national championships were released late Monday evening, the Rams have secured the #1 spot for the tournament. They will face Texas in the opening round in Dallas, TX on Tuesday, May 9. With the win, they have now won four of the last five RMLC championships and five of the last seven.

Game Notes:
- This is the second time in recent history that the Rams have battled the Buffs for the RMLC championship. In 2000, CSU beat CU by six in the midst of a lightening storm in Fort Collins to take the cup.
- Colorado State was once again without the services of starting attackman Campbell Diebolt (Central Bucks East HS; Doylestown, PA), who missed the game due to injury.
- CSU has now won 13 straight against their neighbors from the south.
- This year's national tournament will be held in Dallas, TX after one year in Minnesota in 2005. For the previous eight seasons, the MDIA tournament called St. Louis, MO their home.
- Other teams in CSU's bracket include #4 Michigan, #5 Brigham Young, #8 Arizona, #9 Oregon, #12 Lindenwood and #13 Oakland. Between the RMLC and the WCLL, eight of the tournament's sixteen teams are represented. The only other conference with more than one team is the CCLA, with Michigan and Oakland.

               Lacrosse Box Score (Final)
  Colorado vs Colorado State (Apr 29, 2006 at Utah State)

SCORE BY PERIOD       1  2  3  4  Tot
-------------------------------------
Colorado............  2  0  1  4 -  7
Colorado State......  2  2  2  2 -  8


Colorado SCORING: 
GOALS: Brian Morgan 2; Andrew Upah 2; Jon Atwood 1; Tyler Wood 1; 
John McGlone 1.
ASSISTS: Jason Anderson 1; Jon Atwood 1; Cameron Dunford 1; 
Tyler Wood 1.


Colorado State SCORING: 
GOALS: Tyler Treece 4; Pat Bird 2; Steven Lundberg 1; 
Tyler Bue 1.
ASSISTS: Danny Stevens 6; Steven Lundberg 2.


GOALTENDER SUMMARY
Colorado                  Minutes   GA   W/L   1   2   3   4 Saves
------------------------------------------------------------------
1  Tyson Ehinger.......     60:00    8         1   1   1   3     6

Colorado State            Minutes   GA   W/L   1   2   3   4 Saves
------------------------------------------------------------------
3  Pete Jokisch........     60:00    7         2   2   5   3    12


SHOTS BY PERIOD       1  2  3  4  Tot             
-------------------------------------             
Colorado............  8  5  7 11 - 31             
Colorado State......  5  4  7  8 - 24             


SAVES BY PERIOD       1  2  3  4  Tot
-------------------------------------
Colorado............  1  1  1  3 -  6
Colorado State......  2  2  5  3 - 12


GROUND BALLS BY PRD   1  2  3  4  Tot             
-------------------------------------             
Colorado............ 17 14  7  9 - 47             
Colorado State...... 11 10  9  9 - 39             


TURNOVERS BY PRD      1  2  3  4  Tot
-------------------------------------
Colorado............ 10  9  9 10 - 38
Colorado State......  9  7  8 10 - 34


FACE-OFFS BY PRD       1     2     3     4     Total
----------------------------------------------------
Colorado............  3-6   2-2   2-4   5-7  - 12-19
Colorado State......  3-6   0-2   2-4   2-7  -  7-19


CLEARS BY PERIOD       1     2     3     4     Total
----------------------------------------------------
Colorado............  6-8   5-7   6-6   4-7  - 21-28
Colorado State......  7-8   4-6   8-10  1-6  - 20-30


EXTRA-MAN OPPS         1     2     3     4     Total
----------------------------------------------------
Colorado............  0-1   0-3   1-1   0-2  -  1-7
Colorado State......  1-1   0-0   1-1   0-2  -  2-4


PENALTIES - CU 4/4:00; CSU 7/6:00.