Colorado cruises past UC Davis behind Shoup and Assini

Senior Colorado Buffaloes midfielder Lily Assini scans for a pass against San Diego State. (Photo by Nick Rauscher/Sko Buff Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes gave a golden performance in the Golden State on Sunday. No. 16 Colorado (10-3, 3-1 Big 12) secured a dominant 13-6 win over UC Davis (7-6, 2-2 Big 12). 

Senior midfielder duo Maddie Shoup and Lily Assini led the way for the Buffaloes. They each had four goals on the afternoon. The Buffaloes displayed their offensive aggression, scoring within the first minute of every quarter. Senior defender and team captain Jess Peluso helped CU lead UC Davis in draw controls, 15-6. 

Colorado’s commanding defense continued to shine, only allowing UC Davis six shots on goal and causing three turnovers. Sophomore goalkeeper Elena Oh had five saves. 

"I think we were working for good opportunities on the offensive end," coach Ann Elliot Whidden said. "Possession matters, and when we're able to win the draw controls and be clean in transition, it gives us those extra possessions. When we're able to execute down there and take good opportunities, a lot of good things happen, and I thought we were able to do that."

Junior attacker Jaimey Hill had the first goal for either side just 56 seconds into the game. She took a lane inside and nailed it into the back of the net. 

The Aggies quickly answered with a goal of their own from senior midfielder Rhea Consand.

Then Colorado scored back-to-back goals from Shoup and Assini to put it up by two going into the second quarter. 

Assini opened the second quarter with another quick goal. Shoup then picked up her second goal of the game just three minutes later. 

UC Davis went on a two-goal run of their own with scores from junior midfielder Catie McCauley and graduate attacker Lauren Picardi. 

The gap started to close for the Aggies, but CU shut that down quickly with three goals in the last three minutes of the second quarter. Assini, Shoup and junior attacker Rachel Kennedy pushed Colorado’s lead to five heading into halftime. 

Junior attacker Teagan Ryan scored again for the Buffaloes, which was quickly answered with a free-position goal from UC Davis. 

Shoup picked up her fourth goal of the game while falling to the ground. UC Davis scored back-to-back goals from freshman midfielder Holly Smith and sophomore attacker Jane Fox. 

The Aggies won the third quarter 3-2, but the Buffaloes still had a sizable four-point lead. 

Colorado got its first free position attempt of the game early in the fourth, and Shoup capitalized on it by assisting Ryan for her second goal of the game. 

Assini scored her fourth goal of the game off a UC Davis turnover. Junior midfielder Averi Gardener cut across the lane and drove it into the nylon. Oh saved three late shot attempts from the Aggies to close the game. 

Colorado will play its last game of the regular season on Saturday against Arizona State. First draw is set for noon at Kittredge Field and will be streamed on ESPN+.