Colorado Buffaloes upset BYU Cougars in dramatic fashion

Colorado men's lacrosse executed a stunning fourth-quarter comeback to upset the No. 1-ranked BYU Cougars on Thursday. (Photo by Remi Krupinski/Sko Buffs Sports)

PROVO, Utah – The No. 14 Colorado Buffaloes upset the No. 1 BYU Cougars on Thursday in a thrilling game that snapped BYU’s  29-game win streak. 

Colorado was coming off a 2-0 weekend and looking to continue its win streak. The Buffaloes were also looking for revenge. Last season, they lost to the Cougars 14-8. BYU entered this game 10-0 and looking to continue its historic run.

The game was back and forth as BYU led after the first quarter, 5-4. Colorado would lead after the second quarter, scoring two goals to make it 6-5. BYU would take the lead back in the third quarter by scoring four goals, while Colorado only scored one.

Going into the fourth quarter, the score was 9-7 with BYU leading by two. Colorado needed to mount a comeback.

BYU scored two goals in the fourth quarter, but Colorado answered by scoring four goals and tying the game 11-11. Late in the fourth quarter, attacker Xander Gardner scored the game-winning goal for the Colorado Buffaloes. 

Colorado had many key players who helped mount the comeback and upset. Player of the game Gardner scored another goal in addition to the game-winner, aided by attacker Jacob Roos, who had two goals. Attacker Jaxon Thomas had one goal and one assist. Midfielder Connor Aschman added one goal.

Colorado’s offense wouldn’t have been successful without the help of face-off specialist Mike Kuligowski. He had twenty face-off wins and only seven losses. Kuligowski also had one goal.

The Buffaloes looked to continue their win streak on Saturday, facing the Utah Valley Wolverines.