All good things must come to an end, and Colorado State soccer’s three game win streak was halted Sunday afternoon as the Rams fell by a score of 2-1 to the University of Marquette.
Through the first eight games of the season, CSU is off to a good start with a 5-2-1 record. Going into the weekend, the team was out to set history as they traveled to Indiana and Wisconsin for a two game trip.
Game one vs. Valparaiso
CSU began their road trip Friday with a stop in Indiana to take on the University of Valparaiso Crusaders. Entering the contest, the Rams were the favorites against a Crusaders team that has struggled at home and on the road with a 0-8-1 record.
The Rams walked away with a 3-0 victory in a nationally televised game on ESPN, thanks to an offensive outburst in the first half of the game.
CSU scored two goals in the first frame of play as a pair of sophomore transfers connected for the opening score. Forward Gracie Armstrong corralled a rebound and fed the ball to Kristen Noonan who found the back of the net just under 15 minutes into the match to put the Rams up 1-0.
Armstrong and Noonan connected again with Noonan, scoring in the second half to extend the Rams’ lead to 3-0 and seal the win for CSU.
CSU tightened up defensively to ensure goaltender Gabi McDonald had an easy night. The sophomore only had to make three saves in the match en route to her fourth shut out of the season.
The win put the Rams one victory away from tying the program record for wins in a season with six total, all before moving into conference play.
Game two vs. Marquette
The Rams traveled to Wisconsin to play the second game of a season series against the Golden Eagles. CSU beat Marquette at home 2-0 back in August to open the season, and this time, the Golden Eagles returned the favor.
Noonan got the Rams on the board with another quick strike to start the game when the forward scored off a header this time on a cross from Kendra Gipson.
🎞️ Kristen Noonan Header ‼️
1H
🐏 1, 🦅 0 pic.twitter.com/Vb20TCns77— Colorado State Soccer (@CSUFutbol) September 22, 2019
Noonan now shares the team lead for goals scored with senior Caeley Lordemann with five goals on the season.
Despite a strong first half, the Rams were unable to keep Marquette down and secure the win. The Golden Eagles notched two goals in the second half in the 76th and 86th minute to take the lead. CSU was outshot 13-3 in the final half and fell to a 3-6 Marquette team to conclude their road trip.
With the win, Marquette snapped a three game losing streak while ending the Rams’ three game win streak.
Concluding their nonconference schedule, the Rams now move into Mountain West play, when they’ll host the University of New Mexico this Thursday at 4 p.m. in Fort Collins.
Ryan Loberger can be reached at sports@collegian.com or on Twitter @LobergerRyan.
