Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
10-4, 5-2MPSF
St. Mary's (Calif.)
0-11, 0-6MPSF
Buffs Break Scoring Record In Shutout Against St. Mary's
April 15, 2016 | Lacrosse
BOULDER - Colorado broke its school record for goals in a game with a 23-0 shutout against Saint Mary's (Calif.) on Friday in the rain at Kittredge Field.
CU's previous mark of 21 goals was set against Saint Mary's last season. The Buffaloes also tied the school record with 41 shot attempts, equaling the total from last season's game against Fresno State.
The shutout was the second in Colorado history and it is the first shutout for an MPSF team this season. The Buffs had a 19-0 win last season against Presbyterian.
"It's not about records for us, it's about improving on our last game against San Diego State," head coach Ann Elliott said. "I think we did that in a lot of ways. We had (players) step up today when they got the chance, and that's the exciting part for us. We need to keep getting better. We have to get better in transition, which we still need to work on."
Meanwhile Tori Link, who entered the game with one goal on the season, tied CU's individual record for goals in a game with five on Friday. She scored four times in the first half. She is the seventh Buff to score five goals in a game.
Having appeared in just five games off the bench heading into Friday, Link was proud of her performance.
"It's so awesome," Link said. "It's such a good feeling to come off the bench from a few games and score a quick five goals. It feels cool."
Colorado consistently found the goal throughout the game and led 14-0 at halftime. Darby Kiernan opened the scoring with a goal 57 seconds into the game. Carly Cox scored a pair of goals in the first five 5:03 and Katie Macleay scored her first of two goals in the game with 25:21 left in the half.
Samantha Nemirov tallied a pair of goals in the first half and Marie Moore, Maddie DeWinter and Sarah Lautman all scored once. Macleay also had two assists.
After Macleay's second goal of the game less than two minutes into the second half, Sophia Castillo scored her first of two goals at the 26:03 mark. Taylor Oliver then caught fire, scoring three goals in the second half. She scored at 24:39, 19:54 and 8:36. DeWinter added her second of the game with 22:05 remaining in the game and Link scored her fourth at 15:47. Julia Sarcona wrapped up the game's scoring with 3:34 to go.
Goalkeepers Paige Soenksen and Julia Lisella faced just seven shot attempts in the game and combined to stop all four shots that were on goal to preserve the shutout.
CU turned the ball over just 11 times, despite battling the rainy weather. The Buffaloes caused seven of SMC's 18 turnovers, all seven coming from different players. The Buffs also controlled 20 ground balls with Kiernan leading the way with three.
Colorado dominated the draws, winning 17 of 24, with Sarah Brown recording a game-high five draw controls. Marie Moore and Kiernan also had three each.
Elliott was pleased to get some players who normally don't see much playing time onto the field and have some success.
"It's very exciting," Elliott said. "Our (players) work very hard day in and day out in practice. They are ready. It shows when they get their opportunity that they are ready, that they've prepared for that moment. To see them be able to take that over and step up is exciting and it just proves that what they do every day does matter."
CU improved to 10-4 overall with the win and 5-2 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. SMC dropped to 0-11 and 0-6.
The big win helps give CU some momentum as the regular season wraps up in the next two weeks.
"This is a huge boost going into the end of our season," Link said. "We are going to be set up pretty well for the MPSF. This is the most exciting part that we look forward to all year so we're excited."
Elliott knows it's important not to look too far ahead.
"We're still a couple of games away from the tournament, so I think every game for us," she said. "As we're getting better, gives us more confidence. We've got a big game on Sunday; I'm 0-2 against Cal and this team is 0-2 against Cal. That's really where our focus is right now after this game, and making sure we come out prepared and ready to go."
The Buffaloes will host California at 12 p.m. on Sunday at Kittredge Field.
Postgame Quotes
Ann Elliott, head coach
On how fun is it to win a game like that
"Every game that is a conference game is a big game for us, and to come out with a win is exciting for us. It is big for us, and we want to be able to compete in our conference and compete for a conference championship."
On how exciting is it to break a couple of records
"It's not about records for us, it's about improving on our last game against San Diego State. I think we did that in a lot of ways. We had (players) step up today when they got the chance, and that's the exciting part for us. We need to keep getting better. We have to get better in transition, which we still need to work on."
On players getting the chance to play who normally don't
"It's very exciting. Our (players) work very hard day in and day out in practice. They are ready. It shows when they get their opportunity that they are ready, that they've prepared for that moment. To see them be able to take that over and step up is exciting and it just proves that what they do every day does matter."
On the win boosting the confidence of the team going into the tournament
"We're still a couple of games away from the tournament, so I think every game for us. As we're getting better, gives us more confidence. We've got a big game on Sunday; I'm 0-2 against Cal and this team is 0-2 against Cal. That's really where our focus is right now after this game, and making sure we come out prepared and ready to go."
Tori Link, junior midfielder
On scoring five goals
"It's so awesome. It's such a good feeling to come off the bench from a few games and score a quick five goals. It feels cool."
On gaining confidence
"Huge, big time. I mean we're heading into the most important part of our season so five goals is a pretty big deal going into this part of the season. It's fun."
On the team's momentum
" I think this is one of our biggest wins ever in three years, a shutout with 23 goals. It's awesome so it's pretty fun."
On going into the tournament
"This is a huge boost going into the end of our season. We are going to be set up pretty well for the MPSF. This is the most exciting part that we look forward to all year so we're excited. "
