Career performances power Buffs to win over UConn

Rowan Edson flips a pass past a UConn defender in Colorado’s match against the Huskies on Wednesday. (Photo by Fidel Gonzalez/Sko Buffs Sports)

A well-rounded performance saw two players reach new career highs in points and goals as the Colorado Buffaloes (6-2) defeated the UConn Huskies (3-5) 11-5 on Wednesday.

Senior midfielder Lily Assini tied her career-high in goals and points, scoring four while adding two assists for the Buffs.

Freshman attacker Rowan Edson scored her first career hat trick while adding an assist for a career-high four points.

Junior attackers Jamie Hill and Teagan Ryan both added two more for the Buffs in the 11-goal performance.

Sophomore goalkeeper Elena Oh made nine saves on 14 shots, the sixth time this season the Buffs have limited their opponent to fewer than 15 shots.

Junior midfielder Kelsey Neary found the back of the net for the Huskies just 30 seconds into the match, but Edson quickly evened the score at one on a free-position shot.

Ryan added another, capitalizing on a man-up opportunity, before Edson scored her second of the match, pushing the Buffs to a 3-1 lead into the second quarter.

Hill missed the net wide, but didn’t miss a second time, pushing the run to 4-0 for Colorado.

Freshman attacker McKenna Merkel responded for UConn before Ryan on the next possession during a free position shot.

Merkel scored again before Assini took over the game, scoring three straight, including twice in the final 20 seconds of the half. 

"I have to give the credit to my teammates," Assini said. "They're the ones who were able to see me. Going hard to the net works, and it worked today. So, I'm happy about it, but I got to give credit to my teammates for making me open and seeing me where I was open."

Colorado went to the locker room ahead 8-3.

A defensive third quarter only forced Oh to make two stops, while Hill extended the lead to six going into the final 15 minutes.

Senior attacker Rayea Davis tried to get the Huskies going, but Assini’s fourth on a free-position shot put the lead back up to six.

Merkel put home a shot for her first career hat-trick before Edson also found her first career three-goal performance two minutes later, securing the win for the Buffs.

"The team showed up and competed today," head coach Ann Elliott Whidden said. "We knew how aggressive this UConn team was and how good they were in a lot of different spots, just attacking and putting pressure on you.”

Colorado’s next game will be at home at Prentup Field at noon on Saturday, March 28, taking on the San Diego State Aztecs (1-6) to begin Big 12 play (ESPN+).