Colorado State University Athletics
Friday, March 26
Fort Collins, CO
2 PM MT
Colorado State
2-1-0, 2-1-0
1
vs
0
Air Force
1-4-0, 1-4-0
1
2
F
Air Force
0
0
0
Colorado St.
0
1
1
Steinke Nets Game Winning Goal
3/26/2021 5:23:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Colorado State Defeats Air Force 1-0
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The secret is out.
Â
Taylor Steinke scores, Colorado State wins. It's that simple.
Â
The senior disagrees.
Â
"No. No. That's not the secret," the forward said after her tough-angle shot in the 79th minute produced the lone tally in Friday's in-state victory over Air Force at the CSU soccer field. "The secret is hard work from 23 players. That's it. Because without a single person, we wouldn't be able to capitalize."
Â
She's got a point. The Rams are now 2-1 on the year, and she has scored in both victories, but the effort on a chilly Friday afternoon was solid all around. A developing back line stood tall in the first shutout of the season, and the midfield adapted to the absence of Sam Studt – who started all 20 matches a year ago and 36 in her career – replaced by true freshman Ashlynn Lutz, who played well.
Â
Air Force's attack had few clean lines develop in their attack, getting just four shots on goal, and only one of their four corner kicks actually produced anxiety. The confusion against New Mexico seems so long ago -- just three matches in real time -- after such a strong performance.
Â
"I think the first game we kinda struggled a little bit, but I think that was because we hadn't played in a year and we have a new back line," sophomore Sarah Hogenkamp said. "But ever since that first game, I think we feel really good. We feel really solid in the back, and we feel really fluid having different types of players back there. I think it's been working out for us, and I think we moved the ball really well."
Â
Coach Bill Hempen has gone against conventional wisdom, and instead of sitting firm with four in the back, he's been moving players in an out, even across the line. Through it all, Hogenkamp's assertion is the Rams have been able to setting in a little more, play composed, be patient and not rush the action.
Â
The progression is not something any of them can argue against, either. Nor the experience being gained by Hogenkamp, and others, a collection of newcomers to the program or to extended minutes, merging in with the experience of Kendra Gipson.
Â
"It's exciting. It's a really good step for our team and our back line, since we are so new," Hogenkamp said. "From the New Mexico game to now, from letting four goals in then one and now a shutout, it keeps looking up."
Â
Their ability to chase down threats and redirect the action led to a group of flustered Air Force forwards. Each of the four saves made by Amelia Hammerle came with a clear line of sight, none of the attempts requiring an outlandish effort.
Â
His backrow hasn't looked the same in any of the three matches, but the advancement of play has him nothing but encouraged.
Â
"They did a good job. Again, we used a lot of people in the back, just like in the last game we played four months ago, or whatever it was, and they've all responded very well," Hempen said. "It adds to the team dynamic that everybody has a spot and everybody has a place. I'm proud of the effort they put in today."
Â
Not just in competition, but in preparing for it.
Â
Air Force loaded up defensively, leaving very little room for the Rams to maneuver, with some through balls producing some promising looks, only to have the ball be a bit too far out in front. Early in the second half, the Rams had their best look at the goal when Gracie Armstrong fed Steinke, but her redirection when just wide of the net.
Â
The shot which produced her goal had a lower chance of succeeding, but you have to take those chances.
Â
"We call it shaping the shot, and that's something she didn't used to do. She was kick-it-as-hard-as-I-could," Hempen said. "That's definitely something I've seen her working on in practice. Instead of breaking the net, just cross the line, and she did really well with that.
Â
"I always tell these kids, I can tell when you're trying to score or you're trying to kick the crap out of it. She was trying to score there."
Â
Those are drills in practice assistant coach Tori Ball has been instructing, and when the opportunity presented itself, Steinke put practice into play. Set up on the left side, she bent the shot perfectly to beat the Air Force keeper.
Â
"I've been doing a lot of finishes with the coaches, and we've been working on curving it back post," said Steinke after her 10th career marker. "I was a little bit surprised it went in, but that was what I was trying to do. Honestly, practice pays off.
Â
"We've been increasing it with the more practice we get. It's not about the percentage, it's about the hard work. As long as I put myself in the position and my thought process is there, I just have to trust my practice."
Â
A cliché coaches throughout the entire sporting world have been delivering their players for centuries.
Â
Getting them do deliver in a match, that's the real secret.
Â
The Rams will conclude the weekend on Sunday against Colorado College with a noon kickoff at the CSU Soccer Field.
Â
For More on Colorado State Women's Soccer follow: Twitter – CSUFutbol | Instagram – csufutbol | Facebook – Colorado State Soccer
Â
Â
Taylor Steinke scores, Colorado State wins. It's that simple.
Â
The senior disagrees.
Â
"No. No. That's not the secret," the forward said after her tough-angle shot in the 79th minute produced the lone tally in Friday's in-state victory over Air Force at the CSU soccer field. "The secret is hard work from 23 players. That's it. Because without a single person, we wouldn't be able to capitalize."
Â
She's got a point. The Rams are now 2-1 on the year, and she has scored in both victories, but the effort on a chilly Friday afternoon was solid all around. A developing back line stood tall in the first shutout of the season, and the midfield adapted to the absence of Sam Studt – who started all 20 matches a year ago and 36 in her career – replaced by true freshman Ashlynn Lutz, who played well.
Â
Air Force's attack had few clean lines develop in their attack, getting just four shots on goal, and only one of their four corner kicks actually produced anxiety. The confusion against New Mexico seems so long ago -- just three matches in real time -- after such a strong performance.
Â
"I think the first game we kinda struggled a little bit, but I think that was because we hadn't played in a year and we have a new back line," sophomore Sarah Hogenkamp said. "But ever since that first game, I think we feel really good. We feel really solid in the back, and we feel really fluid having different types of players back there. I think it's been working out for us, and I think we moved the ball really well."
Â
Coach Bill Hempen has gone against conventional wisdom, and instead of sitting firm with four in the back, he's been moving players in an out, even across the line. Through it all, Hogenkamp's assertion is the Rams have been able to setting in a little more, play composed, be patient and not rush the action.
Â
The progression is not something any of them can argue against, either. Nor the experience being gained by Hogenkamp, and others, a collection of newcomers to the program or to extended minutes, merging in with the experience of Kendra Gipson.
Â
"It's exciting. It's a really good step for our team and our back line, since we are so new," Hogenkamp said. "From the New Mexico game to now, from letting four goals in then one and now a shutout, it keeps looking up."
Â
Their ability to chase down threats and redirect the action led to a group of flustered Air Force forwards. Each of the four saves made by Amelia Hammerle came with a clear line of sight, none of the attempts requiring an outlandish effort.
Â
His backrow hasn't looked the same in any of the three matches, but the advancement of play has him nothing but encouraged.
Â
"They did a good job. Again, we used a lot of people in the back, just like in the last game we played four months ago, or whatever it was, and they've all responded very well," Hempen said. "It adds to the team dynamic that everybody has a spot and everybody has a place. I'm proud of the effort they put in today."
Â
Not just in competition, but in preparing for it.
Â
Air Force loaded up defensively, leaving very little room for the Rams to maneuver, with some through balls producing some promising looks, only to have the ball be a bit too far out in front. Early in the second half, the Rams had their best look at the goal when Gracie Armstrong fed Steinke, but her redirection when just wide of the net.
Â
The shot which produced her goal had a lower chance of succeeding, but you have to take those chances.
Â
"We call it shaping the shot, and that's something she didn't used to do. She was kick-it-as-hard-as-I-could," Hempen said. "That's definitely something I've seen her working on in practice. Instead of breaking the net, just cross the line, and she did really well with that.
Â
"I always tell these kids, I can tell when you're trying to score or you're trying to kick the crap out of it. She was trying to score there."
Â
Those are drills in practice assistant coach Tori Ball has been instructing, and when the opportunity presented itself, Steinke put practice into play. Set up on the left side, she bent the shot perfectly to beat the Air Force keeper.
Â
"I've been doing a lot of finishes with the coaches, and we've been working on curving it back post," said Steinke after her 10th career marker. "I was a little bit surprised it went in, but that was what I was trying to do. Honestly, practice pays off.
Â
"We've been increasing it with the more practice we get. It's not about the percentage, it's about the hard work. As long as I put myself in the position and my thought process is there, I just have to trust my practice."
Â
A cliché coaches throughout the entire sporting world have been delivering their players for centuries.
Â
Getting them do deliver in a match, that's the real secret.
Â
The Rams will conclude the weekend on Sunday against Colorado College with a noon kickoff at the CSU Soccer Field.
Â
For More on Colorado State Women's Soccer follow: Twitter – CSUFutbol | Instagram – csufutbol | Facebook – Colorado State Soccer
Â
- CSURams.com –
Team Stats
USAFA
CSU
Goals
0
1
Shots
8
13
Shots on Goal
4
8
Saves
7
4
Corners
4
1
Fouls
2
9
Scoring Plays
Steinke, Taylor (2)
GOAL by CSU Steinke, Taylor (FIRST GOAL), goal number 2 for season.
79:24
Game Leaders
Shots
5
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer2025 Soccer Experience
Thursday, October 09
Colorado State Soccer: Fout (L), Hagen (M), McGowan (R) (9/1/25)
Monday, September 01
Colorado State Soccer: Mia Casey (L) & Kate Dunne (R) (8/6/25)
Wednesday, August 06
Colorado State Soccer: Keeley Hagen Media (8/6/25)
Wednesday, August 06