Colorado
Central Connecticut
CU Improves To 5-1 With 15-3 Win Over Central Conn.
March 05, 2016 | Lacrosse
BOULDER - Colorado's lacrosse team earned its third consecutive win on Saturday, taking down Central Connecticut 15-3 at Kittredge Field. CU improved to 5-1 on the season with the victory.
Darby Kiernan scored four goals to lead all scorers, while Katie Macleay added three and Carly Cox had two. Kiernan also had two assists, tying a career high with six points. Altogether, nine different players scored for CU and two others added assists.
“I think our attack is obviously built on seven people playing," said head coach Ann Elliott. "Seven people being able to be a threat at any time and I think they did a good job today of being in control and working our offense which created opportunities for everyone.”
After allowing a goal less than three minutes into the game to trail 1-0, the Buffaloes dominated for the rest of the afternoon. CU outshot Central Connecticut 37-7, the second-most shots the Buffs have attempted in a game in the third season of their program.
"We wanted to focus on being in control on offense, really dictating the pace, and defensively playing together and communicating," said Elliott on the team's goals. "I think our girls came out today and we took one step forward and now we're fortunate enough to have two weeks [before the next game] off where we can focus in on ourselves and the little things.”
After the early deficit, the Buffaloes scored 10 straight goals to close out the first half with a 10-1 lead. Kiernan scored back-to-back goals to get CU on the board and added two more to score all four of her goals in the first half. Cox and Macleay also scored twice each in the first half and Cali Castagnola added another.
Opening the second half, it was CCSU scoring first again, but the Buffs answered with two in a row as Sophia Castillo and Marie Moore each got in the scoring column in the first 13 minutes of the second half. Sarah Lautman, Caroline Perry and Julia Sarcona all scored in the game's final 12 minutes.
For Sarcona, it was the first goal of her career when she scored on a free-position shot at the 1:57 mark.
With the extended lead in the second half, several Buffs saw their first action of the season, including Sarcona, Annie Morsches, Samantha Nemirov and Claire McCain. Nemirov and Morsches also got into the action as Nemirov caused a turnover and Morsches had a ground ball.
Paige Soenksen played all 60 minutes in goal for CU, recording four saves and five ground balls. She has played all 362 minutes this season to lead the team to its 5-1 start to the year.
Several Buffs assisted Soenksen in the defensive third of the field. Moore caused a team-high four turnovers and had three draw controls and two ground balls in addition to her score on offense. Kelsie Garrison caused three turnovers and had two ground balls. Sarah Brown had two caused turnovers and Lautman also had two. In total, the Buffaloes broke a school record with 19 caused turnovers and CCSU added two unforced turnovers to finish with 21. CU caused 18 turnovers in a win over Fresno State last season.
“As a team, we just really wanted to focus on the little things today and playing 60 minutes," said Kiernan, echoing her Elliott's goals for the game. "I think we did that really well today. Focusing on the little things is really important, because it shows on defense and offense – moving the ball well and getting stops on defense.”
Colorado will be back in action on Monday, March 21, when it hosts Marist at 3 p.m. at Kittredge Field.
Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Ann Elliott
On changes after last game
“Yeah I think we did a better job today. We wanted to focus on being in control on offense, really dictating the pace, and defensively playing together and communicating. I think our girls came out today and we took one step forward and now we're fortunate enough to have two weeks off where we can focus in on ourselves and the little things.”
On multiple players scoring
“Yeah I think it's exciting. I think our attack is obviously built on seven people playing. Seven people being able to be a threat at any time and I think they did a good job today of being in control and working our offense which created opportunities for everyone.”
On status of Johnna Fusco
“Johnna (Fusco) will be fine. She just needs to rest her calf. It's good that we have two weeks off and she'll start getting into things on Monday.”
Sophomore Darby Kiernan, Attacker
On Scoring Four Goals In First Half
“As a team, we just really wanted to focus on the little things today and playing 60 minutes. I think we did that really well today. Focusing on the little things is really important, because it shows on defense and offense – moving the ball well and getting stops on defense.”
On Confidence Going Into The Second Half
“We were confident. It doesn't matter what the score is; we always have to remember to play 60 minutes. No matter what it is, we just went in and played hard.”
On Moving Forward After Great Start To The Season
“It gives us a lot of confidence. It's nice, because we have a two-week break now so we can just focus on ourselves as a team and get better as we move forward.”
On Defense's Strong Play
“They did an awesome job. They got so many stops and caused turnovers. Finishing out and getting those ground balls is huge on offense too, so it's awesome.”
