LARAMIE, Wyo. (10/28/21) – It was unclear whether or not
Rilee Castilla would play this fall. The senior suffered a nasty injury early in the season that threatened to sideline her for the entire year.
However, Castilla wasn't going to let that be the final chapter of her career. She wasn't going to allow an ailment to derail her send off.
On Thursday at the Madrid Sports Complex, Castilla punctuated her career in the best way possible. The Kennewick, Washington, product produced a goal in a 3-1 victory over rival Colorado State.
"It was my goal to get a goal before I left, and I just saw (the ball) sitting right there and followed it in, and honestly I was in shock it went in," Castilla said. "I can say that will definitely be my favorite Wyoming memory."
The victory concludes Wyoming's season. It finishes at 8-10-1 overall and 4-7-0 in Mountain West Conference play.
Colorado State falls to 6-7-3 overall and 5-5-1 in league action. The Rams will advance to the conference tournament.
Castilla may have been shocked that she scored, but it had been trending in that direction. She had played more and more as the season wore on, and in her first start of the fall, she made it count.
"We've been wanting one for her for a long time," head coach
Colleen Corbin said. "She works her butt off, and she cares so much about the rest of the girls and this team. We are just so happy for her to be able to walk away with a goal today to remember this day forever."
Redshirt-junior
Jamie Tatum accounted for the other two scores. She netted a pair of first-half goals, one off a free kick and the other in the flow of play.
Tatum recorded the contest's first goal in the 25th minute. She reasserted Wyoming in front, 2-1, with a score in the 35th minute, giving her a team-best six goals on the season.
"(Jamie) brings an abundance of energy and craftsmanship to this sport, and we are lucky to have her," Corbin said. "She's going to be relied on heavily, but every single person returning will have a very big role to play, and they need to be able to push each other. Step 1, (Jamie) sets the bar for us, and we are definitely excited to have her back."
Senior goalkeeper
Hannah Lee registered a solid day in net in her final collegiate competition. She made three saves, and finishes her career as a top-10 goalie in GAA and minutes played in school history.
The stout defensive showing is also a byproduct of senior defender
Savannah Warner. Her performance as a center back is paramount in Wyoming's defensive effort.
"This group of seniors have been hugely instrumental in this program moving forward," Corbin said. "They have been a really big piece to this puzzle we are creating. I couldn't haven't drawn (today) up any better."
Colorado State owned a 13-9 advantage in shots. Castilla paced the Cowgirls with three, Tatum logged two and four other players had one shot apiece.
Wyoming now enters its first full offseason under Corbin. The Cowgirls will undergo winter training before playing a spring schedule.
