Colorado makes history, defeats Denver in NCAA thriller
- Peighton Lemp
- 16 hours ago
- 2 min read
The No. 8-seeded Colorado Buffaloes (16-3, 4-1 Big 12) defeated Denver University (16-4, 6-0 Big East), 11-9 in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
With the win, Colorado ended its season undefeated at home without allowing a team to score more than 10 goals in a game.
“I thought we played some really poised and controlled lacrosse,” head coach Ann Elliot Whidden said.
It was a full team effort for the Buffaloes, who had six different players score goals. Leading the charge were junior attackers Rachel Kennedy and Teagan Ryan, who both had three goals.
CU was uncharacteristic in draw controls, losing the battle 13-9. However, seven saves from sophomore goalkeeper Elena Oh kept the Pioneers at bay.
“We knew it was going to be a battle. A bit of a rough start for us, but similar to Friday, I’m just proud of our team for sticking with it, believing, and going one play at a time,” Whidden said.
Colorado won the opening draw, and scored a quick goal by senior attacker Maddie Shoup.
Denver then went on a four-goal run, powered by junior midfielder Olivia Ripple and sophomore attack Caroline Keil. Two of the four goals came from man-up opportunities for the Pioneers.
“It is impactful for us to stay out of the penalty box,” Whidden said. “We have to do a better job at that.”
After a timeout for the Buffaloes, they ended Denver’s scoring run with a goal from Ryan to end the quarter.
During a man-up opportunity for CU to begin the second quarter, senior attack Lily Assini scored off a free-position attempt. DU quickly answered with another goal from Ripple straight down center field.
Colorado then went on a four goal run of its own, fueled by two free-position goals from Shoup and Kennedy. Kennedy and Ryan got their second of the day, assisted by Assini. The run put the Buffaloes up by two going into halftime, 7-5.
Junior attacker Jaimey Hill scored once again for the Buffaloes at the start of the third, assisted by Shoup. The Pioneers answered with a goal of their own.
The teams would trade goals once again, with freshman attacker Rowan Edson scoring off a free-position attempt for CU, and sophomore midfielder Caroline Bower sinking one for DU, 8-6.
Kennedy scored yet again at the start of the fourth quarter, to give the Buffaloes their biggest lead of the afternoon, up three.
Ryan scored the final goal for Colorado, before Denver attempted to fight back into the game with back-to-back goals. However, it was not enough as CU ran out the clock to secure the 11-9 win.
The Buffaloes are heading to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history to face No. 1 Northwestern (16-3, 7-1 Big 10). The last time the two met was the first game of the season, where CU upset the Wildcats 10-9.
They will play in Evanston, Illinois, on May 14 and will be streamed on ESPNU.
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