Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State Heads to Greeley to Close Front Range Swing
8/20/2026 10:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
A few storylines follow the Rams to Greeley
The Rams sit at 1-1-0 to open the year. Colorado State dropped a decision at preseason-ranked No. 13 Colorado on Aug. 12, falling behind in the 16th minute and answering through Ava Wallhead in the 66th before the Buffaloes retook the lead 10Â minutes later for the 2-1 final. Colorado State bounced back Aug. 16, riding a 19-11 shot advantage to a win over Denver in the home opener, with Wallhead again supplying the difference in the 69th minute off a feed from Mia Casey. Denver played the final 24 minutes a player down after Pioneers defender Keirra Venson was shown a red card for unsporting behavior in the 66th minute.
Series History
- Colorado State holds a 4-2-2 edge in the all-time series with Northern Colorado, a rivalry dating to 2013.
- The Rams carry a one-match winning streak into Sunday, having taken last year's matchup 3-0 in Greeley.
Scouting the Opponent
- Northern Colorado went 3-10-6 a season ago and was picked to finish ninth in the Big Sky's preseason poll after ending 2025 in eighth place.
- Senior Lexi Tuite anchors the Bears' attack after leading the team in goals (6) and points (12) last season, earning a spot on the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team.
- Tim Barrera enters his 28th season at the helm, the longest tenure of any coach on Colorado State's schedule this year. He carries a 224-231-59 career record at Northern Colorado.
- The Bears' scheduled season opener against Denver on Aug. 13 was suspended due to weather, meaning Sunday could mark Northern Colorado's first completed match of the year.
Record Watch: Career Assists
Mia Casey sits one assist shy of tying the program record after her helper on Wallhead's game-winner against Denver.
- Gracie Armstrong (2019–21) – 13
- Mia Casey (2023–Pres.) – 12
- Avery Vander Ven (2023–24) – 8
Liv Layton (2019–22) – 8 - Sofia Coulombe (2023–2025) – 6
Olivia Fout (2023–2025) – 6
Quick Kicks
- Wallhead's goals in each of her first two matches make her the first true freshman in program history to open a career that way. The last Ram to do it at all was Olivia Fout in 2025, a stretch she extended to three straight en route to one of the most decorated careers in program history.
- Addison Huber has started and played every minute in goal, posting a 1-1-0 record with eight saves across two matches.
- Casey was one of three Rams, alongside Avery Boulom and Bridget Arnold, named to the Pac-12's inaugural Impact Players list earlier this month.
What's Ahead
Colorado State returns home to open a new stretch of non-conference play against South Carolina on Aug. 30.
