The Colorado Buffaloes circle up and talk after a goal by graduate attacker Madeline
Pisani and an assist by junior midfielder Maddie Shoup, putting the Buffs up 5-0 against Iona University on Saturday, Mar. 15 at Prentup Field. (Tommy Bittner/CU Independent)
The University of Colorado Boulder’s women’s lacrosse team put on a masterclass of offense in the first quarter against the Iona University Gaels, defeating them 12-4 on March 15 and improving to 3-4 on the season.
This was the second game in a row against an unranked opponent after starting the season playing five top-25 and two top-5 teams; the opportunity proved fruitful for the Buffs.
Junior midfielder Maddie Shoup led the Buffs with a hat trick – her second in a row – and two assists in the first quarter alone, as well as two additional assists in the second quarter. This put the Buffs up 8-0 in the first quarter and 11-0 by the end of the first half.
When asked about her impressive first-half performance and how it helped drive her team forward, Shoup said, “I feel like it just showed that [once] we got the momentum going we could push the ball forward and not slow down.”
Eight players scored for the Buffs in another strong team offensive performance which featured excellent ball movement, including impressive skip passes. Junior midfielder Lily Assini had two goals, one assist and three ground balls, while graduate attacker Madeline Pisani had two goals and one ground ball. Graduate attacker Morgan Pence had one goal, two assists and one ground ball. Another key factor to the Buff’s win was junior defensive player Jess Peluso, who dominated the face-off circle, getting 11 draw controls.
However, all was not peachy for the Buffs as the start of the second half saw the Iona Gaels make a much-needed goalie change and recoup after a devastating first half. Iona’s sophomore goaltender Ava Giugliano stepped in and shut down multiple Colorado fast breaks and scoring chances, allowing the Gaels to get some defensive stops and stem the bleeding.
The decreased dominance by the Buffs in the second half sparked head coach Ann Elliott Whidden’s ire.
“It was a tale of two halves for us,” she said. “We have to be able to play 60 minutes regardless of whether it is in or out. We have a great opportunity at home Thursday and will turn our focus to getting better and preparing for that.”
A slew of penalties put pressure on the Buffs and led to four Iona goals before the game was over, including two yellow cards and one green card by Colorado’s junior defensive player Mack Hanlon.
The Buffs will hope to extend their two-game winning streak at home on Thursday against Stony Brook University at noon M.T. Fans can watch the next game – and all CU Boulder women’s lacrosse games – on ESPN+, or follow along live via X and Instagram @CUBuffsWLAX.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Thomas Bittner IV at thomas.bittneriv@colorado.edu
