Games thread - LACROSSE ends regular season play visiting Cincinnati (Sat., 4/26/25, 10:00 AM MT)

[AztecBuff]

Lacrosse (7-7 overall; 3-1 in Big 12 play) ends conference play early this Saturday with a trip to Cincinnati to face off with the Bearcats (UC; 8-8, 1-3) for the 1st time in program history.

In the latest NCAA RPI ratings (for games through 4/22, https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/lacrosse-women/d1/ncaa-womens-lacrosse-rpi), CU is at #26, while UC is #69.

Although I'm thinking this game doesn't matter too much for seeding purposes in the upcoming conference tourney (unless MAYBE ASU pulled a big upset in its game in Gainesville over conference leader Flordia?), I'd think it IS still VERY vital for the team to win to avoid a bad RPI loss that would possibly end the team's hope for an at-large selection to the tourney. (In addition to a loss being bad for RPI purposes, it would also put the team in danger of finishing sub-.500 so not even being eligible for consideration of a berty by the tournament selection committee while a win would GUARANTEE a .500 or better season record.)

As has been the case throughout the season for conference games, video coverage for the game will be available for those who have a premium ($) ESPN+ subscription. (More info and links available near the bottom of this post.)

Go Buffs!!!
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Links with more more info on UC:

Roster - https://gobearcats.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster
Stats - https://gobearcats.com/documents/2025/2/10/15Combo.pdf
Schedule - https://gobearcats.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/schedule
Their preview article - Not available as I type this.
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Media links:

Live video: The game is scheduled to be streamed through the premium ($) ESPN+ subscription service, available either on the ESPN app or at https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player/_/id/00d835e7-4d99-4349-8597-88d493b5db94 .

Link to link to live stats (All games) - http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statmonitr.php?gid=colo
For this specific game - https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=579240&vislive=colo

Game notes - https://cubuffs.com/documents/2025/4/23/LAX_2025-04-26_Game_Notes.pdf

 

[AztecBuff]

Preview for Saturday's game - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/4/23/lacrosse-colorado-wraps-up-regular-season-at-cincinnati

"

Colorado to Wrap Up Regular Season at Cincinnati​

The Buffs will meet the Bearcats for the first time in program history to finish off the inaugural Big 12 Lacrosse regular season

By: Malala Pyle, Assistant Director of Athletic Communication

BOULDER – The Colorado lacrosse team (6-6, 2-1 Big 12) wraps up regular season conference play at Cincinnati (8-8, 1-3 Big 12) on Saturday, April 26. Opening draw against the Bearcats is set for 10 a.m. MT.

This is the first meeting between Cincinnati and Colorado in the programs' history. The Bearcats are the seventh unranked matchup for the Buffs this season, having already faced eight IWLCA-ranked opponents. The Buffs are 17-17 in games in the Eastern time zone, and are looking to share regular season conference champions with ASU and Florida, should the Sun Devils beat the fourth-ranked Gators this weekend.

Colorado took on two opponents last week in then-No. 24 Denver and UC Davis on Senior Day. The Buffs kept the Pioneers close the entire game, staying within two and finishing just short in the final two minutes, 9-8 (April 17). The Black and Gold scored 12 in the first half against the Aggies, and graduate attacker Madeline Pisani had a stand-out senior day with five goals and two assists. Junior midfielder Maddie Shoup fought hard on both ends of the field, earning a hat trick and four caused turnovers versus UC Davis (April 20).


THIS WEEK
GAME #15 • Saturday, April 26 • 10 a.m. MT
Colorado (7-7, 3-1 Big 12) vs. Cincinnati (8-8, 1-3 Big 12)
Nippert Stadium • Cincinnati, Ohio
SERIES RECORD: First Meeting
TV: ESPN+
OPPONENT WEBSITE: GoBearcats.com
...

ROAM WITH THE BUFFS: The Buffs' game against the Bearcats will be broadcast on ESPN+. Fans can also follow the Colorado game through live stats with links available at CUBuffs.com.

FIRST YEAR, FIRST HOSTS: The Colorado lacrosse team clinched a spot in the Inaugural Big 12 Championship after its win over UC Davis on Sunday, April 20. The Buffs also have the privilege of hosting this championship in its first year at Prentup Field on May 1 and 3. In the 12th year of the program, this is the 12th time the Black and Gold have made it to a conference tournament. The Buffs are 11-10 in conference tournament games and were the 2018 Pac-12 Conference Champions. Having clinched a spot in the Big 12 Championship, the Buffs become one of four teams admitted to the conference championship. The winner of the inaugural championship gets an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, much like in the Pac-12. The Championship will consist of two semifinal games – May 1 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. – and one final game to determine the NCAA bid – May 3 at 1 p.m. Tickets for the 2025 Big 12 Championship are on sale now, and credential requests are open until April 28.
...
"

 

[AztecBuff]

Less than 3 hours until the opening draw.

 

[AztecBuff]

Great finish to the regular season as the Buffs get off to a great start (8-1 lead after the 1st) and go on to win every individual quarter by 2+ goals en route to a 20-5 win.

Way to go Buffs!



As expected, looks like Florida cruised by ASU (by a 17-5 score), so the Buffs end the regular season in 2nd place behind the Gators, and will be facing ASU in the 1st round of the conference tourney this coming Thusday.

 

[AztecBuff]

Media after today's W - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/4/26/lacrosse-buffs-crush-bearcats-20-5

"

Buffs Crush Bearcats, 20-5​

Four Colorado players had hat tricks against Cincinnati in the teams’ first meeting

By: Malala Pyle, Assistant Director of Athletic Communication

CINCINNATI – The Colorado lacrosse team (8-7, 4-1 Big 12) defeated Cincinnati (8-9, 1-4), 20-5, at Nippert Stadium on Saturday, April 26.

The Buffs ended the regular season in style on the road in Bearcat country with four players netting hat tricks. Graduate attacker Madeline Pisani and junior attacker Maddie Shoup both finished with seven points, and sophomore attacker Jaimey Hill earned her first hat trick of her career and finished with six points. CU locked in their first 20-goal game of the season, recording 12 in the first half and eight in the second.

"I'm proud of the way we came out and competed," head coach Ann Elliott Whidden said. "We have been focused on playing a full game, and I feel we did that today. We saw people step up in different ways, and I'm proud of our effort across the board. We are excited for the opportunity to play in the Big 12 tournament this week and for another opportunity to compete together. This is a great group, and every day we get to extend our season and be together is amazing."

CU outplayed Cincinnati in almost every category. The Buffs had 22 shots on goal to the Bearcats' eight, won in the circle, 16-10, and caused 11 turnovers to their six.

KEY PLAYERS:

• So. A Jaimey Hill earned a career-high six points for the Buffs with her first hat trick of her career and three assists. She reached a career high in points, goals and assists.
• Gr. A Madeline Pisani scored four goals and had three assists. She now has 20 career hat tricks and is sixth in all-time hat trick leaders.
• Jr. A Maddie Shoup earned seven points for the Black and Gold from two goals and five assists. She is tied for 3rd in assists in a single game. The last person to have five assists in a single game was Darby Kiernan vs. Jacksonville on May 11, 2018. The last person to have five or more assists was Ashley Stokes vs. ASU on April 12, 2024. Shoup also had one caused turnover.
• So. A Teagan Ryan scored three goals, making this her fifth hat trick of her career and is tied for 18th all-time career hat trick leaders. She also had one assist and one ground ball.
• Jr. M Lily Assini earned her second hat trick from four goals. She is now tied for 20th in all-time hat trick leaders. She also had two ground balls.
• Jr. M Molly Reed scored two goals, had two caused turnovers, two draw controls and one ground ball.
• Gr. A Kendall Havill scored two goals for the Buffaloes.
• Jr. D Jess Peluso led the game with seven draw controls.
• So. M Averi Gardner had six draw controls and one ground ball.
• Jr. D Mack Hanlon had two caused turnovers and two ground balls.
• Fr. GK Elena Oh had three saves, saving .375. She also had one ground ball and one caused turnover.
• Gr. D Jordan Johnson caused three turnovers and Sr. A Sam Lipka had one assist, her second of the season.
• Jr. D Mary Carson had one caused turnover and one ground ball.
• For the Bearcats, Julie Rose had two goals, and Paige Selhorn had two assists.

...

UP NEXT:

• Colorado will host the Inaugural Big 12 Lacrosse Championship in Boulder, Colo. next week on Thursday, May 1, and Saturday, May 3. The Buffs, who have clinched the two-seed in the Championship, will face Arizona State in the second semifinal game at 7 p.m. MT after one-seed Florida faces the four-seed (TBD) at 4 p.m. MT at Prentup Field. The winners of the two semifinals will go head-to-head on Saturday at 1 p.m. MT at Prentup. Fans can watch the games on ESPN+ and can follow along via Twitter @CUBuffsWLAX.

MATCH NOTES:

• CU moves to 130-74 (.6357) all-time and 3-2 on the road this season.
• The Buffs record their first win over the Bearcats and move to 30-8 (.790) against current Big 12 teams and 68-27 (.716) against conference opponents.
• Colorado will be in its 12th postseason conference tournament in 12 years next week as the two-seed in the Inaugural Big 12 Lacrosse Championship.

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.
"
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Boxscore - https://cubuffs.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/stats/2025/cincinnati/boxscore/17340