Colorado University Athletics
Oh Continues to Build on First-Year Success
February 06, 2026 | Lacrosse
BOULDER – Colorado goalkeeper Elena Oh is still relatively early into her lacrosse journey compared to most at the collegiate level as she enters her sophomore season. Still, she's played herself directly into the spotlight for the Buffaloes.
Oh, a Chapel Hill, N.C., native, played only three years of lacrosse when she committed to head coach Ann Elliott Whidden. So, when she took over in net for the Buffs three games into last season and immediately made an impact, it came with a little bit of a shock factor.
"It was definitely surprising—that's probably the word I'd use," she said. "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."
That trust helped quiet the nerves that came with her first few collegiate appearances. As a goalie—the position where every mistake is magnified—she embraced a simple mindset.
"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."
Even though she didn't grow up playing or watching a lot of lacrosse, the game was always close to her. Both her dad and sister played, and even though her dad wasn't a goalie, he was the one who coached her along.
"He learned everything he could and taught me what he knew," Oh looked back on. "We trained almost every day in our basement, just working on small tips and tricks to help me get better."
The result?
Oh earned four consecutive Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Week honors on her way to snagging a Big 12 Newcomer Team selection. She finished with an 8-6 record in her 14 starts, posting 83 saves and ranking 18th in the NCAA with her conference-leading 9.81 goals-against average.
"That definitely helped me feel seen," Oh said of last season's success. "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."
One thing that can haunt goalkeepers is the added pressure to be the best. It's that kind of pressure that drew Oh in and challenged her to perform at such a high level.
"I think it's such a game-changing position," Oh 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."
That pressure continues to build as the 2026 season kicks off on Monday. Oh enters the season as the Big 12 Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year, and the de facto leader of the Buffs goalkeeping trio.
"I want to continue building my confidence and belief in myself," she expressed. "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.
As Oh's path with the Buffs continues to be paved, her aspirations extend beyond the college game. With the Olympics on the horizon, she has hopes of competing at the international level—potentially representing Korea, for whom she played in the 2024 Women's U20 Championship in Hong Kong.
"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, her focus remains on the season ahead and the group around her.
"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."
Colorado opens the 2026 season at No. 2 Northwestern on Monday, Feb. 9.
Season and single-game tickets are on sale now at CUBuffs.com/WlaxTix.
For more information on Colorado Lacrosse, please visit cubuffs.com/wlax. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffswlax on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook.
