Colorado goalkeeper Elena Oh is preparing for her sophomore season with the Buffaloes after a notable first year. Oh, who grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, began playing lacrosse only three years before committing to Colorado under head coach Ann Elliott Whidden. She took over as starting goalkeeper three games into last season and quickly became an important player for the team.
“It was definitely surprising—that’s probably the word I’d use,” Oh said about her early success. “Having not played for that long, I think what really helped was the trust of my teammates and trusting myself. Knowing that my coaches believed in me and that my team believed in me gave me the confidence that I could go out there and make a difference.”
Oh explained how support from her team helped her manage nerves during her first collegiate games. “I felt like I had nothing to lose,” she recalled. “I just went out there to play my best and be as big as I could in the goal. That mindset was really motivating. I had nothing to prove, so I could just go out there and give it everything I had.”
Although she did not grow up watching or playing much lacrosse, both her father and sister played the sport. Her father learned about goalkeeping specifically to help coach her at home.
“He learned everything he could and taught me what he knew,” Oh said. “We trained almost every day in our basement, just working on small tips and tricks to help me get better.”
During her freshman season, Oh earned four consecutive Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Week honors and was named to the Big 12 Newcomer Team. She started 14 games with an 8-6 record, made 83 saves, and finished with a conference-leading goals-against average of 9.81—ranking 18th nationally.
“That definitely helped me feel seen,” Oh said about receiving those recognitions. “I know I’m working hard and doing my best, but being recognized like that really boosted my confidence. It made me feel like I was truly making a difference for the team and the program.”
Oh described how pressure is part of being a goalkeeper: “I think it’s such a game-changing position,” she added. “One save—even if it’s the only one you make—can be the difference between a win and a loss. That pressure and excitement really drew me in. Plus, being able to lead from such a crucial part of the defense is something I really love.”
As Colorado prepares for its opening game against No. 2 Northwestern on February 9, expectations are high for Oh this season; she has been named Big 12 Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
“I want to continue building my confidence and belief in myself,” she expressed regarding new responsibilities this year. “With the increased attention and expectations, there’s definitely more pressure, but I want to keep having fun and trusting myself. I really believe in this team and this group.
“I do feel more of a leadership responsibility, but I also recognize that Caity [Brower] and Jillian [Kane] have been playing much longer than I have and have so much wisdom to share. We really see each other as equals. There isn’t much hierarchy.”
Looking ahead beyond college competition, Oh hopes to represent Korea internationally after playing for them at the Women’s U20 Championship in Hong Kong in 2024.
“Representing Korea would be really special to me because it helps me connect with my heritage, which I haven’t had many opportunities to do before. If that path leads to the Olympics, it would be incredibly empowering and meaningful,” Oh acknowledged.
For now, she remains focused on supporting her teammates during Colorado’s upcoming season.
“I truly believe in this team,” she voiced. “We’re special on and off the field, and I’m excited to show what we can do.”
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