Newly #1 Colorado State Handles #10 Colorado

Despite an excellent performance from new head coach Brian Bell’s improved
squad, the Colorado State Rams pulled away in the second half of a
competitive game to win 15-6 against in-state rival and #10 Colorado. The
Rams were led by attackmen Ryan Davis (4 goals, 5 assists), Mike Napolilli
(4g, 3a), and Nick Stanitz-Harper (3g) in a very balanced assault on Buffalo goalie Chris Bluse.

After Tuesday’s gift from the UC-Santa Barbara Gouchos, who beat former #1
Brigham Young, Colorado State made the road trip to Boulder to take on their
rivals from the south in a non-league game. The Rams jumped out early on
goals by Jim Hasson (1g, 1a) and Napolilli just nine seconds apart to lead
2-0, but the Buffs showed they weren’t going away quietly and fought back on
an excellent catch and shot by Peter Meyers (1g). After a man-up goal by
Kale Nelson (2g), two quick goals at the end of the quarter by the Buffaloes tied the game at 3-3.

The second quarter saw much of the same fast paced action with both teams
playing well. The Buffs started the quarter with a three minute man-up
opportunity as Napolilli was called for an illegal stick. The man-down unit
of the Rams stood tall, however, and sent CU away with nothing. Several
goals by both teams later left the score 5-4 CSU. Then, within a minute,
Napolilli and Tim Farquhar (1g) both scored to push the lead to 7-4. Mark
Guilford (2g) stopped the bleeding for the Buffs with about three minutes
left and the first half ended with the Rams in the lead 7-5.

Ryan Davis had been waiting quietly in the first half, only scoring two
points. But in the second half, he broke the game wide open for CSU as he
had a hand in six of the eight next goals. The Rams methodically plugged
away on offense and played rock solid defense to win the quarter 4-0. Goals
by Stanitz-Harper, Napolilli, Davis, and Stanitz-Harper again were matched
by the strong play of Jeremy Smith, Mark Plonkey, Ryan Price, and Jeff
Schmid on defense in the quarter and the Rams entered the final stanza up
11-5. Alex Smith (12 saves, 6 goals against) made three saves in a row on
one possession in the third as the Rams began to play their best team
defense of the young season.

Davis added a goal early in the fourth to push the Ram lead to 12-5 before
Guilford finally broke the scoring drought for the Buffs at 7:58 of the
quarter. It was the first time in almost 25 minutes that CU found the back
of the CSU net. Any thoughts of a Buffalo rally were quickly put to bed by
Davis just 21 seconds later, however, and the Rams cruised the rest of theway for the victory.

Next up for the Rams (2-0 overall, 0-0 league) is RMILL Division I foe Utah
Valley State College on Saturday. The Buffaloes (0-1, 0-0) will play the Wolverines on Friday.

Goals:
CSU: Davis and Napolilli (4), Stanitz-Harper (3), Nelson (2), Hasson, Farquhar, Hamm
CU: Guilford (2), Bok, Stowell, Meyers

Assists:
CSU: Davis (5), Napolilli (3), Katz, Hasson
CU: Stowell, Bok

Saves:
CSU: Smith (12), 6 goals against
CU: Bluse (?), 15 goals against

Penalties:
CSU: 9/9:30
CU: 6/6:00