Saturday, March 29
San Diego, Calif.
2:00 PM
Colorado
5-5
16
at
12
San Diego State
5-6
1
2
3
4
F
Colorado
5
7
2
2
16
San Diego State
3
2
2
5
12
Pisani, Assini Lead Lacrosse Buffs to First Big 12 Victory Over Aztecs, 16-12
March 29, 2025 | Lacrosse
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Colorado lacrosse team (5-5, 1-0 Big 12) opened conference play with a win over San Diego State (5-6, 0-1 Big 12), 16-12, at Aztec Field in San Diego, Calif., on Saturday, Mar. 29.
Graduate attacker Madeline Pisani put on a show against the Aztecs, matching her career-highs in both goals and points with seven and nine, respectively. CU ran away with it in the first half after midfielder Lily Assini set the tone with a speedy goal in the first quarter and set her career-high in goals (4) and points (5) by the end of the game. Colorado is now 7-5 (.583) all-time in conference openers and 65-26 (.714) in conference play.
"Glad to get the win today – every win in conference is huge," head coach Ann Elliott Whidden said. This is a new season for us, and we've come out and started strong. There's a lot for us to build off of and learn from. We have to know every team we play in conference is going to compete for 60 minutes, and we have to find a better way to compete ourselves for 60 minutes. We were undisciplined today in many aspects, and it caught up to us – we have to do better and demand better of ourselves. I'm proud of us for finishing the game out, but we will take a look at the whole game and see what positives we can take from it and what areas we need to learn from."
The Buffs had 29 shots on goal to the Aztecs 19 and won in the draw circle, 20-12. CU also had a good day on the arc, netting four of six free position shots.
KEY PLAYERS:
HOW IT HAPPENED:
UP NEXT:
MATCH NOTES:
For more information on the Colorado women's lacrosse team, a complete schedule and results, please visit CUBuffs.com. Fans of the Buffs can follow the team on Instagram and Twitter @CUBuffsWLax.
Graduate attacker Madeline Pisani put on a show against the Aztecs, matching her career-highs in both goals and points with seven and nine, respectively. CU ran away with it in the first half after midfielder Lily Assini set the tone with a speedy goal in the first quarter and set her career-high in goals (4) and points (5) by the end of the game. Colorado is now 7-5 (.583) all-time in conference openers and 65-26 (.714) in conference play.
"Glad to get the win today – every win in conference is huge," head coach Ann Elliott Whidden said. This is a new season for us, and we've come out and started strong. There's a lot for us to build off of and learn from. We have to know every team we play in conference is going to compete for 60 minutes, and we have to find a better way to compete ourselves for 60 minutes. We were undisciplined today in many aspects, and it caught up to us – we have to do better and demand better of ourselves. I'm proud of us for finishing the game out, but we will take a look at the whole game and see what positives we can take from it and what areas we need to learn from."
The Buffs had 29 shots on goal to the Aztecs 19 and won in the draw circle, 20-12. CU also had a good day on the arc, netting four of six free position shots.
KEY PLAYERS:
- Gr. A Madeline Pisani matched two career-highs and set season-highs with seven goals and nine points against the Aztecs. This is her second game with seven goals, the last coming against Oregon last season (April 26, 2024). The last time she had nine points was against UC Davis in the Pac-12 Tournament last season (May 1, 2024). This marks her 18th hat trick of her career – fourth of this season – and she is now sixth all-time for career hat tricks at CU. She also had two assists and one ground ball.
- Jr. M Lily Assini recorded her career-high in both goals and points against SDSU with four and five, respectively. This is her first-ever hat trick, and she picked up four groundballs, caused two turnovers and managed a draw control.
- Jr. D Jess Peluso had a career-high 12 draw controls and picked up a ground ball.
- Gr. A Kendall Havill inched ever closer to her career milestone, ending the game just one point shy of 200, as she collected two goals for the Buffs.
- Jr. M Molly Reed picked up one ground ball, caused one turnover and managed one draw control
- Jr. M Maddie Shoup had one goal, one assist and one ground ball.
- So. M Averi Gardner caused a turnover and had five draw controls.
- So. A Bella Reece had her first goal of her career.
- Fr. GK Elena Oh had seven saves, a save percentage of .368 and one ground ball.
- Sr. D Katie McLean had three ground balls and one draw control.
- Jr. D Mary Carson had one groundball and caused one turnover, So. D Lola Flynn had a ground ball and Fr. M Amelia Byerly caused one turnover.
- So. A Jaimey Hill had one goal, one assist and one ground ball for the Buffs.
- For San Diego State, Sara Toner had a hat trick and Grace Moore had 11 saves.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Aztecs opened scoring with back-to-back goals early, but CU found its rhythm, with Assini coming off the draw control on wheels to net the Buffs' first goal. Colorado scored four goals in a row in response, with Havill getting two goals and Pisani as well (CU, 4-2). SDSU scored once more off a free position shot, but Pisani saw another goal quickly off a draw control from Reed to end the quarter (CU, 5-3). Assini and Carson each caused a turnover in the first quarter.
- It was a story of draws and goals for the Buffs in the second quarter, as Assini and Pisani both earned hat tricks with each of their third goals (CU, 8-4). Reed caused a turnover, the Aztecs fouled Assini in the arc, and she capitalized on a free position opportunity for her fourth goal of the day (CU, 9-4). Peluso nearly found the net off the draw, but SDSU raced down the field off a CU turnover. The Aztecs shot, but Oh had a huge save to keep the Buffs on their roll. Shoup, Hill and Pisani all scored in the second quarter – Pisani and Assini finished the half with five points each (four goals, one assist) (CU, 12-5).
- Both teams took their time in the third quarter, with each only seeing one goal in the first five minutes of the quarter (CU, 13-6). Oh had three saves, and Pisani had another two goals to keep the Buffs extensive lead (CU, 14-7).
- Pisani wrapped up a career-performance against the Aztecs with another goal to start the quarter off a free position attempt (CU, 15-7). Reece subbed into the game for the Buffs and scored the first goal of her career on an assist from Pisani. Peluso grabbed the next draw control to reach a career-high of 12. San Diego State scored three-straight in three minutes to develop the momentum and try to close the gap, forcing a CU timeout (CU, 16-10). SDSU put another two on the board to narrow CU's lead down to four (CU, 16-12). Colorado's defense held strong, and the Buffs ran down the clock to take the game, 16-12.
UP NEXT:
- Big 12 competition continues on the road for the Buffs with the Sun Devils in Tempe, Ariz., next week. Colorado will go head-to-head with former Pac-12 foe ASU on Sunday, April 6, at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium. Opening draw against the Devils is set for 1 p.m. MT. Fans can watch the game on ESPN+ and can follow along via Twitter @CUBuffsWLAX.
MATCH NOTES:
- CU moves to 127-72 (.638) all-time and 1-2 in road games this season.
- The Buffs are now 27-7 (.794) all-time against Big 12 opponents (including games prior to being in the conference together).
- Colorado is 7-5 (.583) in conference openers and 65-26 (.714) in conference play.
- Madeline Pisani is now sixth all-time for career hat tricks at CU with 18.
For more information on the Colorado women's lacrosse team, a complete schedule and results, please visit CUBuffs.com. Fans of the Buffs can follow the team on Instagram and Twitter @CUBuffsWLax.
Team Stats
CU
SDSU
Shots
31
26
Turnovers
11
13
Caused Turnovers
6
6
Draw Controls
20
12
Free-Position Shots
6
7
Ground Balls
15
24
Game Leaders
Players
G
7
A
2
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
G
4
A
1
FO
-
Pen
1-180
GB
4
CT
2
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
1
A
1
FO
-
Pen
2-360
GB
1
CT
0
Players Mentioned
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D
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/ LacrosseA
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