No. 14 Colorado’s women’s lacrosse team was defeated by No. 8 Michigan, 8-7, in Ann Arbor on Sunday. Despite overcoming a two-goal halftime deficit and leading after the third quarter, the Buffaloes were unable to hold off the Wolverines in the final period.
Colorado (4-2) put together a strong third quarter, going on a 4-0 run to take a 7-5 lead into the last frame. However, Michigan responded with three unanswered goals in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
“I’m proud of the team for the third quarter,” head coach Ann Elliott Whidden said following the game. “I think we challenged them a little bit at halftime, and they responded. [It was] probably the best third quarter we’ve had all year. Then we just weren’t able to get it done in the fourth. We just have to do better at executing in possessions. We have to do better at valuing possessions.”
Four Colorado players contributed goals: Maddie Shoup, Lily Assini, and Teagan Ryan each scored twice, while Rachel Kennedy added one goal—her first in three games. Both of Assini’s goals came during Colorado’s four-goal surge in the third quarter; these marked her 50th and 51st career goals.
Defensively, Colorado forced 23 turnovers from Michigan and collected a season-high 20 ground balls. The Buffs have now forced at least 20 turnovers in three games this season.
“All week we talked about the team that could handle adversity better, [and] be a little more disciplined would come out on top,” Whidden said. “I don’t think that’s how we entered the game…not taking control of things that we could have taken control of and putting ourselves in a tough spot.”
Michigan (5-2) saw hat tricks from Calli Norris and Ava Class and dominated draw controls throughout, finishing with a 13-5 advantage over CU.
“Obviously, draws were a battle and struggle for us,” Whidden admitted. “We have had that all year…only one game we actually won draw controls…Defensively we’re able to get stops; we can’t turn over [the ball] in clear…We didn’t do a great job of that today.”
The Buffs conceded an early goal but kept pace through much of the first half before falling behind by two at halftime despite outshooting Michigan and forcing multiple turnovers.
Assini opened scoring for CU after halftime with her eighth goal of the season—the milestone marking her as only the 19th player in program history with at least 50 career goals—and helped spark Colorado’s comeback effort alongside Shoup and Ryan.
In addition to their offensive efforts, Colorado held Michigan without any shots on goal during an effective third-quarter stretch where they also completed every clear attempt successfully.
“We take pride in our defensive work,” Whidden explained. “On offense…we have seven people capable of working…[but] we have to take pride making defense work then getting good quality opportunities that we can execute.”
Michigan shifted momentum again late; Elizabeth Johnson made three key saves for UM down the stretch while Peyton Shreves scored what proved to be Michigan’s game-winner with just over three minutes left.
“I think we’re looking for things to come easier than they’re going to be in games like this,” Whidden said postgame. “Michigan is a great defensive team…We had to find ways make more plays down stretch…”
Colorado will return home next week for its final non-conference matchups against Stetson (March 15) and UConn (March 18), before beginning Big 12 play March 28 versus San Diego State.
Additional notes include: Assini has now recorded points in CU’s last 22 games; Shoup extended her scoring streak to 17 straight contests; Ryan leads CU with fifteen goals this season; Elena Oh led defensively with four ground balls while Lola Flynn posted a career-high three caused turnovers.
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For more information about Colorado Lacrosse visit cubuffs.com/wlax or follow @cubuffswlax on social media platforms.
