No. 22 Buffs Host No. 19 Virginia Tech In Top-25 Match-up

BOULDER — For the third time this season, the No. 22 Colorado Buffaloes will be involved in a top-25 match-up as they host the No. 19 Virginia Tech Hokies at Kittredge Field on Sunday, March 4, at 12 p.m.

Admission is free, as is parking in Lot 416. Overflow parking is available in the RG Zone next to the Coors Events Center (just off of Regent Dr. and Colorado Ave).

HOW TO WATCH: Links to the free live stream and live stats are available at CUBuffs.com.

ABOUT THE BUFFS: Colorado is ranked 22nd in the latest IWLCA after starting the season 2-2. Last weekend the Buffs improved to .500 with a 17-12 win against San Diego State, which extended CU's win-streak at Kittredge Field to 11 straight.

Darby Kiernan leads the team with 16 points this season, 13 goals and three assists. Her 16 points ranks 25th in the NCAA and the 13 goals is 16th in the nation. Kiernan is averaging 1.50 free-position goals per game, which is 23rd in the NCAA, first in the Pac-12. She is also third in the NCAA, first in the Pac-12, with 10.25 draw controls per game (40 total). Miranda Stinson is a very close second with 13 points (61st in the NCAA). Stinson has 11 goals this season (37th in the NCAA) and a pair of assists.

Kelsie Garrison is averaging a team-best 1.50 caused turnovers per game, and is tied for the lead with 13 ground balls this season. In goal, the Buffs have used a pair of goalkeepers. Sophia Gambitsky started the first three games of the season and has played in 150:00 minutes. In that time, she has averaged a .346 save percentage while allowing 13.60 goals per game. Julia Lisella earned the start in the last game and has played in 90:00 minutes this season. She has allowed 12.67 goals per game with a .387 save percentage.

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH: Virginia Tech is ranked 19th in the IWLCA Poll. In addition, the Hokies are 17th in the media poll and are 15th in the U.S. Lacrosse poll. They have recorded 4-2 record this season, which includes a 17-14 win over then-No. 10 Duke. Their only two losses this season have been to ranked opponents. VTU suffered a 16-11 loss to then-No. 16 James Madison and an 11-5 loss to then-No. 8 USC.

Tristan McGinley has recorded a team-best 14 goals this season and leads the Hokies with 29 draw control wins. Marisa Davey is second on the team with 13 points, nine goals and four assists. Patty Petty and Emma Crooks each have 11 points, which is third on the team. Petty's 11 points are all goals, which Crooks has 10 goals and one assist.

Defensively, Mary Claire Byrne has a team-high 12 caused turnovers in addition to 19 ground balls. Meagh Graham has been in goal for all six games this season, playing 332:42 minutes. She has recorded a .453 save percentage while allowing 10.46 goals per game.

THE SERIES: This is the first meeting between the two teams.

THE KITT FIELD ADVANTAGE: The Buffs have done quite well at Kittredge Field since 2014, compiling a 25-5 record. CU is currently in the middle of an 11-0 run at Kitt. The Buffs won the last three home games in 2016 did not drop a contest at Kitt in 2017 (7-0).

PROMOTIONS: The first 250 fans will receive a CU beanie.

UP NEXT: The Buffs finish their four-game home stand as they open the Pac-12 schedule next week. CU will host Stanford on Friday, March 9, and on Sunday, March 11, California will be in Boulder.

HOME GAME INFORMATION: All but one of Colorado's home games will be played at Kittredge Field. Admission to all games at Kittredge is free, as is parking in Lot 416. The only regular season game that will not be played at Kittredge is on April 8 against Arizona State. That contest will be played at Prentup Field, the site of the 2018 Pac-12 Lacrosse Championships. Tickets will be $5, while children 12 and under will be free.

PAC-12 TOURNAMENT TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets for the Inaugural Pac-12 Women's Lacrosse Tournament, April 26-29, in Boulder, are now on sale. Colorado will serve as the host for the first ever tournament. The quarterfinal games will be played on Thursday, April 26, while the semifinals will be contested on Friday, April 27. The championship game is set for Sunday, April 29. All five games will be played at Prentup Field, the home of Colorado's soccer program.

Fans can purchase an all-sessions pass that includes all five games, or a single-session pass for one day. Tickets can be purchased online at CUBuffs.com or by calling 303-49-BUFFS. Pricing for both options is listed below:

ALL-SESSIONS
Adults: $20
Children 12 and Under: $12
CU Students: $12
Per Ticket Fee (Online Only): $2.50
Mail Fee: $1
Print at Home: no charge

SINGLE-SESSION
Adults: $8
Children 12 and Under: $5
CU Students: $5
Per Ticket Fee (Online Only): $1.50
Mail Fee: $1
Print at Home: no charge

CLEAR BAG POLICY
In an effort to provide a safer environment for fans, the University of Colorado will continue its clear bag policy at the Prentup Field for all lacrosse and soccer games, which includes the Pac-12 Women's Lacrosse Tournament.

Fans may bring one clear bag no larger than 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches, or a one-gallon reseal-able clear plastic storage bag, into the arena. Fans will also be allowed one small clutch purse, no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.

Bags that are not allowed into the CEC include backpacks, large purses, oversized tote bags, camera bags and binocular cases, diaper bags, fanny packs and printed plastic bags.

For more information check out the following link: CUBuffs.com/BeClear.

No. 22 Buffs Host No. 19 Virginia Tech In Top-25 Match-up

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Players Mentioned

Sophia Gambitsky

Kelsie Garrison

Darby Kiernan

Julia Lisella

Miranda Stinson