Michigan Bounces Back, Beats No. 2 CSU
from press release
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Faced with the toughest game
of the season, the Rams did not back down. They stayed neck and
neck with No. 1 University of Michigan until the last quarter when
Michigan took a firm lead and won the game.
"It was a great lacrosse game today. The scoreboard wasn't what we
wanted at the end, but we fought the whole game long," said Alex
Smith, Colorado State's head coach. "All the credit to Michigan for
outplaying us in the fourth quarter and having a great game plan. I
thought it was pretty evenly matched except for that four minute
stretch where they pulled away a bit in the fourth."
Goals went back and forth between the teams, making it clear why
both were ranked the top two in the MCLA. With the scores tied at
threes at halftime, the defense had something to be proud of.
"Pat Sullivan held one of the best players in the country to no
goals in settled offense," Smith said, "and Andrew Stein, Tyler
Zabor and Hayden Porter were terrific for us too. I think if we can
take advantage on the other side of the ball a little bit better
and clear with more consistency against them, we can have a good
shot if we are lucky enough to see them again."
To improve their game and prepare to finish the season as
strongly, Smith plans to work on shooting smarter on offense and
getting more competitive at the key moments when facing off. "We
did pretty good all game, but when it really counted, they made the
plays and we were just a little short," he said.
It wasn't until the fourth quarter that Michigan got away from CSU.
With a few well executed plays, the Wolverines gained a four point
lead.
"You definitely can't fault our effort today. In my mind, we played
very well and easily could have won had we just turned a couple
things around. Unfortunately, you can't almost lose and be
champions. If we really want the ultimate goal, we are going to
have to figure out how to put a full game together against a very
quality team," Smith said.
The next game will be against Michigan State on Sunday, April 18 at
1:00 p.m. on the CSU intramural fields.
