Colorado
2-0, 2-0MPSF
Fresno State
1-2, 0-2MPSF
CU Starts Season 2-0 With 18-4 Road Win
February 21, 2016 | Lacrosse
FRESNO, Calif. - Colorado continued its season-opening road trip with a convincing 18-4 win at Fresno State on Sunday. The Buffaloes moved to 2-0 overall and 2-0 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, the first 2-0 start for the Buffs in their three-year history. Last week, CU opened the season with a win at the University of Denver.
"We wanted to build on last week," said head coach Ann Elliott. "Every game we want to get better. I think we did that in many ways. Offensively we were poised, we dodged and created opportunities. Defensively, we still have to get better and that still has to be a focus this week."
The Buffaloes dominated from the opening whistle, outshooting Fresno State 17-9 in the first half. CU scored six times in the first 6:11. Marie Moore scored first at 28:01 and Sarah Lautman scored consecutive goals 34 seconds apart two minutes later. The Buffs led 8-0 before Fresno State finally scored its first goal over than 12 minutes into the game.
Darby Kiernan netted four goals in the first half and Cali Castagnola had three as the Buffs en route to a 12-2 halftime lead.
"I think we were just dodging really hard and that created a lot of space, especially on the back side," said Kiernan of the team's offensive efficiency in the first half. "We were able to finish well from eight meters."
"I thought today we moved the ball well and saw the defense well," said Elliott. "Obviously Darby and Cali have been a huge part of that. They're able to put pressure on the defense in many ways and that helps create opportunities for them and others as well.
CU let its foot off the gas early in the second half as the Bulldogs cut the lead to 13-4 with 20:20 remaining in the game. However Paige Soenksen was up to the challenge, stepping up to make five saves in the second half and finished with six for the game. She held Fresno State to 0-for-3 on free position shots.
"Paige is so consistent," said Elliott of her junior goalkeeper. "She's been that way since her freshman year. It helps us defensively. We were fortunate that Paige was able to bail us out of some situations, but at the same time our defense made some big plays."
A pair of young players got involved in the scoring in the game's final 15 minutes. Sophomore Taylor Oliver scored her first goal of the season at the 10:59 mark and freshman Caroline Perry scored twice in the final nine minutes in her first collegiate appearance.
Lautman capped the scoring with 3:35 left in the game, scoring her third of the contest. It was the first three-goal game for CU's lone senior since 2014.
Moore and Miranda Stinson led the team with four draw controls each, while Lautman and Oliver paced the team with three ground balls apiece.
Their efforts helped CU nearly double Fresno State in shot attempts, leading the Bulldogs 32-18 in that category.
"I think we came out hard and played hard throughout [the game]," said Elliott. "We did a good job on draw controls and using our speed in the midfield. I think we played for 60 minutes and [with it] being a conference game, it was a big game for us. Defensively, we have to do a better job pressuring the ball and dictating the pace of play."
CU's perfect start will be put to the test next weekend. The Buffaloes travel to 11th-ranked Notre Dame and Marquette.
"It just gives our team a lot of confidence," said Kiernan of the opening wins. "Having a 2-0 start is really important and we just have to keep our focus to get ready for the next game."
