Buffs extend win streak with dominant performance against Iona

Colorado midfielder Maddie Shoup shares an embrace with Madeline Pisani after a goal against Iona. Shoup collected a career-high seven points and her third career hat trick on Saturday. (Photo by Paxton Haines/Sko Buffs Sports)

Colorado Buffaloes women’s lacrosse (3-4) had a dominant performance against the Iona Gaels (1-6) on Saturday at Prentup Field. The game was a blowout, as the Buffs pulled away with a 12-4 victory over the Gaels.

The black and gold applied pressure early with three unanswered goals in the first two minutes. Maddie Shoup scored unassisted just over a minute after the opening draw. Ten seconds later, Shoup assisted Molly Reed, extending the lead to two. Shoup scored unassisted again 20 seconds after her Reed assist.

Buffs goaltender Elena Oh stood tall throughout the first half, not allowing a single goal. Shoup’s hat trick was completed by the 10-minute mark off an assist from Morgan Pence.

Iona entered the second quarter down by eight, desperate to put themselves on the board. Shoup did not back down for the Buffs, assisting Teagan Ryan and Madeline Pisani, who extended the lead to 10.

Colorado held an impressive 11-point lead at halftime and vowed to play its substitutes in the second half. After allowing 11 goals, Gaels goaltender Lauren Sweeney was replaced by Ava Giugliano.

The Iona drought was broken early in the second half courtesy of Calen Norton, with an assist from Kira Varada. Penalties hurt the Buffs in the third quarter, allowing the Gaels some scoring opportunities. Varada narrowed the gap to nine for the Gaels at the 10-minute mark.

Colorado went on a man-up entering the fourth quarter, and Jaimey Hill extended the Buffs’ lead back to double digits off an assist from Lily Assini. Penalties continued to hurt the Buffs, as Varada scored unassisted on a man-up for the Gaels. Varada assisted Kacie Scarduzio in the final two minutes.

“It was a tale of two halves for us,” head coach Ann Elliott Whidden said postgame. “I’m proud of the way we came out and competed.”

Despite the brisk, cloudy March day, intrepid Buffs fans showed up to support their lacrosse team. The team has proven themselves to be a spirited, tight-knit group. After a rough start to the season against ranked opponents, the Buffs look to continue their heater as Big 12 play approaches.

The black and gold return to the field on Thursday at 5 p.m. MT to take on the No. 17-ranked Stony Brook Seawolves (4-2). The game can be viewed on ESPN+.