DENVER, Colo (April 25, 2015 – by Michael Liptak) - In the final game of its inaugural season, the Colorado State University-Pueblo women's lacrosse team fell in a nonconference match to No. 16 Regis University, 21-4.
The ThunderWolves finish the season 4-12 and 1-5 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, while the Rangers improve to 11-4 (5-1 RMAC).
Three members of the Pack reached the back of the net. Alix Zierden (Fr., M, Elk River, Minn.) led the way with two tallies to finish the season with 24 goals. Kiana Kelii (Fr., A, Bloomington, Minn.) and Rachael Welzin (Fr., M, Farmington, Minn.) were the other two ThunderWolves to score as each had one goal. Kelii concludes the year with 15 goals and three assists, while Welzin finishes with 18 and three.
Kayla Gladstone (Fr., D, Phoenix, Ariz.) received her first-ever start in goal and saved four of 21 goal attempts by the Rangers.
The Rangers had a flurry of contributors in the contest as 10 different players netted at least one goal. Erin Steiner had a game-high four goals, while Lily Colley finished with a game-high eight points, dishing out five assists and earning a hat trick.
From the team side of things, the Rangers outshot the Pack 33-7 and accumulated 14 assists versus CSU-Pueblo's zero. The ThunderWolves were also outgained 20-12 in ground balls and 20-7 in draw controls.
CSU-Pueblo opened on an early deficit after the Rangers scored 3:44 into the match for a 1-0 lead. The ThunderWolves answered 15 seconds later on the ensuing possession as Zierden reached the back of the net to tie game 1-1.
From there, Regis went on an 8-0 run the next 9:19 of game play to lead 9-1 with 16:42 remaning in the first half. Welzin broke the run on an unassisted goal to cut the lead to 9-2 at the 14:36 mark. The Rangers continued to be aggressive and closed out the frame on a 3-0 run to lead 12-2 at halftime.
Coming out of the break, Regis extended their run adding another goal for a 13-2 advantage 55 seconds into the period. Zierden broke the drought again for the Pack with her second marker of the contest to cut the deficit to 13-3. The Rangers answered with another run, this time a 6-0 outburst to push their advantage to 19-3.
CSU-Pueblo broke the run off a Kelii goal, but Regis would score two more times to close the game for a 21-4 victory over the ThunderWolves.
This afternoon's contest marks the final game of the season for the Pack, while Regis will go on to play in the RMAC women's lacrosse tournament starting Friday.
- 30 -
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
