Buffs’ teamwork leads to dominant win against Hatters

Colorado Buffaloes defender Averi Gardner navigates around Stetson defenders on Sunday. (Photo by Tripp Mauldin/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes women’s lacrosse team took on the Stetson Hatters on Sunday at the Ford Practice Facility and came away with an 18-3 win.

The Buffs (5-2) bounced back after a tough road loss to the Michigan Wolverines last Sunday. Head Coach Ann Whidden believes the team's struggles came from not working together enough against the Wolverines and wanted the Buffs to focus.

“Michigan was a little bit individual for us; we tried to win the game individual, and things got into a tough position and a little adversity,” she said. “And for us, I think it’s always gonna be the team is the answer and playing together on the offensive and defensive side, and I think that’s the key.”

CU acted accordingly, as 13 different players scored goals in its thorough victory. Molly Reed led the scoring with three, her second career hat trick, and she was pleased with the teamwork.

“I think that today just showed what happens when we’re all working together,” she said. “And we can be super successful when we're all working as a team.”

The Buffs got off to a hot start with an 8-0 lead after the first quarter, and Stetson never had a chance after that. Colorado added five more goals in the second to enter halftime with a 13-1 lead. The second half slowed for the Buffs as they only had 5 goals. However, Stetson never got rolling offensively.

Sunday was the Buffs' largest margin of victory of the season, and Whidden was pleased with the performance on both ends.

“I think offensively playing together and getting different people involved,” she said. “And defensively staying focused on the little things was huge for us.”

The Buffs will look to take this momentum into the next game, and Whidden believes the most important thing will be controlling the pace.

“We have got to be able to control the pace,” she said. “Whether we want to play fast or slow, it doesn’t matter, we have to be in control of that and not just doing whatever.”

The Buffs’ next game will be against the UConn Huskies on Wednesday at Kittredge Field. First draw is set for 3 p.m. MT (ESPN+).