A wild four-minute frenzy in the final minutes of regulation turned a frustrating defensive battle into a dramatic 2-2 draw for K-State women’s soccer on the road against Colorado State on Thursday evening. 

Despite trailing for most of the game, the Wildcats scored twice in 46 seconds to snatch a late lead before the Rams answered right back to split the points. With the draw, K-State (4-0-3) extended its program-record unbeaten streak to eight consecutive matches dating back to the 2025 season finale. 

Colorado State (1-5-1) started the scoring in the 33rd minute. Following the Rams’ third corner kick of the opening half, Sydney Torres poked through a loose ball in the box to give the green and white a 1-0 advantage. The goal marked the first time this season K-State trailed heading into halftime.

The Wildcats spent much of the second half pushing forward for an equalizer, creating opportunities but struggling to convert. K-State controlled possession and held an 18-8 advantage in total shots, including a 6-4 edge in shots on goal.

Senior forward Rilyn Rintoul aggressively led the attack, tying her career high with six shot attempts on the night. Sophomore forward Gabby DeMers nearly put the Wildcats in the back of the net in the 80th minute when Rintoul fed her a lead pass inside the 18-yard box, but DeMers’ strike rattled off the right post and the Rams cleared it away.

In the 87th minute, the match suddenly switched from defensive focus to an offensive battle. Substitute midfielder Emerson DeLuca, making her season debut in her home state of Colorado, took a shot from more than 25 yards out on the right side of the pitch. The ball went over the outstretched arms of Rams goalkeeper Addison Huber and settled in the top-left corner, marking DeLuca’s first collegiate goal. 

“I couldn’t be happier for Emerson,” head coach Colleen Corbin said. “It has been a really challenging start to the year for her, but she has stayed the course while controlling everything that she could control in order to get back on the field. The fact that she was able to score the goal the team needed to get back in the game and to do it in her home state felt truly poetic.” 

Just 46 seconds later, DeMers poked home another loose ball inside the box to give K-State a 2-1 lead. The Rams initiated a brief Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, but the goal stood. The score marked DeMers’ team-leading third goal of the season and the fourth of her career.

DeLuca and DeMers’ back-to-back goals were the fourth-fastest consecutive goals in Wildcat program history.

However, K-State’s celebration was brief. Just 27 seconds after the restart, Colorado State answered as Mia Casey ripped a hard shot into the top-right corner past Wildcat goalkeeper Maddie Sibbing to even the score at 2-2 in the 88th minute. 

“Going into the second half, we talked about raising our level of grit and insensitivity across the board, both in our individual and collective defending moments, as well as our attacking moments,” Corbin said. “I was really proud of the team’s response and ability to find a goal late and to not settle for the tie. I think that shows a lot about the competitiveness and character of our group.” 

The result marks the first time in K-State program history that the Wildcats have recorded three consecutive draws. 

“The group’s resilience was tested today, and I’m glad that we are learning hard lessons now before heading into conference play next week,” Corbin said. “We get to wake up tomorrow and get after it again on Sunday.” 

K-State will close out its three-match road trip on Sunday, Sept. 13, against Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CST, and the match will stream on MW+.