CSU soccer faces year’s toughest test in weekend homestand

Bailey Bassett
October 16, 2019

Undefeated at home, the Colorado State Rams soccer team takes on two more opponents in Fort Collins this weekend.

On Friday, the Rams take on Utah State University. The Utah State Aggies are 6-7-1 this season. The Rams are 2-4 all-time against Utah State but have won their previous two games against them.

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In one-goal thrillers, the Rams won their last two home games against Fresno State and San Jose State. Captain Caeley Lordemann has been dominant over the homestand so far, knocking in a goal and two assists last weekend.

racie Armstrong(#9) turns the ball towards center field
Gracie Armstrong (9) turns the ball toward center field during the Colorado State home game vs. San Diego State. CSU defeated SDSU two goals to one. (Devin Cornelius | Collegian)

The status of Kristen Noonan is still unknown. Noonan was carted off the field against Fresno State with a right leg/foot injury. She was wearing a boot while watching the game against SJSU. Noonan is second on the team in goals and points, and her scoring ability will be missed if she can’t play.

“We are in a position where if she is hurt, we are not going to rush her back because we have quality on the team,” Coach Bill Hempen said. “But when she is ready to go, she will be ready 100%. We’d love to have her back Friday, but who knows what’s going to happen.”

If Noonan can’t play, Taylor Steinke is her likely replacement. Steinke started in Noonan’s place against San Jose State and scored the team’s first goal of the day.

Steinke brings a similar presence as Noonan for the Rams. With her 5-foot-10-inch frame, Steinke is a big target in the middle of the field.

“Her injury is really unfortunate, but our team has to work together around it,” Steinke said. “We have to find a way to come back and still win some games.”

Gracie Armstrong has started to come into her own as well. She notched her second CSU goal against Fresno State and has been aggressive on the field since. Armstrong has gotten more active with and around the ball over the course of the season. She will be another important piece if Noonan isn’t active.

On Sunday, Oct. 20, the Rams face another Mountain West rival in Boise State University. The matchup against the Broncos will be the Rams’ biggest test yet. Boise State is 13-2 and ranked top in the Mountain West. A win against the Broncos will put the second-seeded Rams one step closer to their goal of winning the conference.

With a 0-5-1 record against Boise State, the Rams look for their first win ever against the Broncos.

The Rams are 9-4-1 this year: the best season in program history. Additionally, they own an undefeated streak of six wins at home this season. Here are the current Mountain West standings.

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2019 Mountain West Women’s Soccer Standings
SCHOOL CONF CPCT. PTS. OVERALL PCT. STREAK
Boise State 5-1 0.833 15 13-2 0.867 W2
Colorado State 4-2 0.667 12 9-4-1 0.679 W3
New Mexico 4-2 0.667 12 8-5 0.615 L1
San Diego State 4-2 0.667 12 5-7-1 0.423 W1
Fresno State 3-2-1 0.583 10 7-4-2 0.615 W1
Colorado College 3-3 0.500 9 8-4 0.667 L1
Air Force 3-3 0.500 9 8-4-1 0.654 L1
Wyoming 2-3-1 0.417 7 5-5-4 0.500 L1
San José State 2-3-1 0.417 7 4-7-3 0.393 L1
Nevada 2-4 0.333 6 3-10 0.231 W1
Utah State 1-4-1 0.250 4 6-7-1 0.464 L3
UNLV 1-5 0.167 3 4-10 0.286 W1

Courtesy of themw.com

The games can be caught at CSU Soccer Field, just south of Moby Arena. 

Bailey Bassett can be reached at sports@collegian.com or on Twitter @baileybassett_.