Mar. 21st, 2004 - CSU Goes 6-0 on Road Trip With Convincing 24-6 Win Over Simon Fraser
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2004
Colorado State Men's Lacrosse
Seattle, WA - The last time that Simon Fraser University and Colorado State played lacrosse against each other, it was for the 1999 National Championship. Simon Fraser led a good portion of that game until CSU went on a fourth quarter run to pull out a 15-11 win that gave them their first ever National Championship. Six years later, the two teams met again, this time on the campus of the University of Washington on the second day of the Husky Invitational. CSU got back on track offensively and dismantled the #12 Clan 24-6 in a very tightly officiated game.
The two teams combined for 25 penalties, 10 of which were unsportsmanlike conduct violations as a hard fought game turned a bit ugly in the latter portions.
Colorado State struggled with an unranked Washington team on Friday, but showed no ill-effects from their six game road trip against Simon Fraser on Saturday. Seven different Rams scored four points or more as Colorado State continued their balanced offensive attack. Nick Stanitz-Harper (Eaglecrest HS, CO) and Thomas Robinson (Memphis University School, TN) both had four goals. Stanitz-Harper also added three assists to give him a game high seven points on the night.
Pat Bird (Bishop O'Dowd HS, CA) was dominant on both offense and defense. In addition to playing tough short stick defense, Bird blasted home three goals and two assists. CSU's other short stick defender Phil Eichhorn (Rangeview HS, CO) played well also, scoring a goal to go along with his tough defensive play.
Simon Fraser simply could not match up with the CSU longpoles. Mark Plonkey (Golden HS, CO) once again led both teams in groundballs with ten. Ryan Price (Arapahoe HS, CO), Michael Greeson (East Grand Rapids, MI) and Kellin Bershinsky (Fort Collins HS, CO) were successful in shutting down a potent group of Simon Fraser attackmen.
Pete Jokisch (Rockhurst Jesuit, KS) faced a large volume of shots in his three and a half quarters of play, but Jokisch was not fazed by the SFU shooters. Jokisch finished the game with 17 saves, several of which were nothing short of spectacular.
The Rams won the first quarter 5-1 thanks to goals from four different shooters. Tim Farquhar (Collegiate HS, VA), Bird, Robinson and Stanitz-Harper each scored a goal in the first quarter run. With the Rams leading 4-0 with under a minute to go in the period, Simon Fraser's Jeremy Wee scored to close the gap to three. But CSU was able to answer the SFU goal by getting an unassisted score from Stanitz-Harper with 10 seconds in the first.
Simon Fraser made uncharacteristic unforced errors to lose possessions while the Rams attacked the Clan goal with monotonous regularity. Colorado State led the game 11-2 at the half and continued to keep a hold on the game's momentum.
CSU began to get everyone in the game late, but similarly to the Chico State game on Thursday, there was little drop off in production. Kurt Bisnette (Hinsdale Central HS, IL) played well for the second game in a row, making five saves and allowing one.
Colorado State (12-0) will now get a little time off before their first RMLC game of the season. The University of Utah will come to Fort Collins on March 27th to battle the Rams. The Utes were the only USL-MDIA team to defeat Colorado State last year in a 5-4 shocker. CSU won the rematch 13-2 in the RMLC semifinals. Simon Fraser (5-2) will play the University of Washington in a key PNCLL league game.
Game Notes:
- CSU's Nick Stanitz-Harper now leads the RMLC in points with 48. He is followed closely by Kelten Johnson, who has 45.
- Eleven different players scored points for the Rams in the win.
- The six game road trip will be the longest of the season for the Rams who will also go to the Michigan Invitational in two weeks.
- CSU went 7/14 on man-up, a season high for man-up goals.
Goals by Quarters:
CSU: 5 - 6 - 9 - 4 = 24
SFU: 1 - 1 - 2 - 2 = 6
Goals:
CSU Stanitz-Harper and Robinson (4), Disney and Bird (3), Johnson, Murphy, Koll and Farquhar (2), Eichhorn, Stevens (1).
SFU Gares (2), Norbraten, Christians, Wee (1)
Assists:
CSU Stanitz-Harper (3), Johnson, Bird, Murphy and Plonkey (2), Disney, Stone (1).
SFU None
Goaltenders:
CSU Jokisch (50:00 minutes, 17 saves, 5 goals against), Fitzgerald (5:00 minutes, 1 saves, 0 goals against), Bisnette (5:00 minutes, 5 saves, 1 goals against)
SFU Johnson (60:00 minutes, 9 saves, 24 goals against)
Face-Offs Won:
CSU 21/31
SFU 10/31
Shots:
CSU 47
SFU 35
Ground Balls:
CSU 46
SFU 34
Extra Man:
CSU 7/14
SFU 3/11
Penalties:
CSU 12 for 12:00
SFU 13 for 13:00
Attendance: 230