Buffs Look To Stay Unbeaten, Host Winthrop & Oregon This Week

Wednesday, March 15

Boulder, Colo.

3:00 PM

Colorado

Winthrop

Katie Macleay is third on the team in points this season

Buffs Look To Stay Unbeaten, Host Winthrop & Oregon This Week

March 14, 2017 | Lacrosse

Game Notes

CU is 7-0 to start the 2017 season

By: Linda Sprouse, Associate SID

BOULDER — Colorado is home this week for a pair of contests against Winthrop and Oregon. The Buffs host Winthrop on Wednesday, March 15, at 3 p.m. The game against Oregon on Sunday, March 19, is set for a 12:05 p.m. start.

HOW TO WATCH: The game against Winthrop will be streamed live on Pac-12 Plus - a link is available on CUBuffs.com on the schedule page, while the game against Oregon will be televised live on Pac-12 Network. Live stats for both games are available at http://www.sidearmstats.com/cu/wlax/.

ABOUT THE BUFFS: Colorado is off to its best start this season at 7-0, which is also the programs' longest win streak. The Buffs are ranked fourth in the Cascade/Inside Lacrosse media poll, are sixth in the Nike/U.S. Lacrosse Magazine poll and are seventh in the IWLCA Coaches' poll.

Darby Kiernan leads CU with 29 points (20 goals and nine assists). She leads the league and ranks third nationally in draw controls (7.71) and is third in the MPSF, 15th in the NCAA, in free-position goals per game (1.14). Johnna Fusco is second on the team with 26 points, 20 goals and six assists. She is the MPSF leader in free-position goals per game (1.43). Fusco and Kiernan are tied for third in the league in goals per game with 2.86.

Defensively, Paige Soenksen has been one of CU's best players. She leads the NCAA with a .602 save percentage and a 6.60 goals against average. The Buffs have only allowed 45 goals this season. As a team, CU has 41 caused turnovers this season. Sarah Brown has tallied 10 to lead the team, while Molly Rovzar is second with five.

Nationally the Buffs lead the nation in several statistical categories. The Buffs lead the nation in save percentage (.605), scoring defense (6.43), scoring margin (9.57) and are one of three teams that remain undefeated entering the week. CU ranks third in scoring offense (16.00), fourth in turnovers per game (13.57) and is fifth in points per game (22.43).

ABOUT THE EAGLES: The Eagles enter Wednesday's game 2-3 overall. In the last game, WU suffered an 18-5 loss to Oregon.

Nicole Beatson has recorded 18 goals and four assists this season to lead the Eagles with 22 points, while Kristen Shriver is second on the team with 11 points (eight goals and three assists). Katherine Judge has won 23 draw controls this season and has also caused 10 turnovers for WU. As a team, Winthrop is averaging 9.80 goals per game. The Eagles tallied a season-best 19 goals in a win against Virginia Commonwealth. Their single-game low this year is five goals, which they have recorded twice.

Chloe Wormsley has spent all 300:00 minutes in goal for the Eagles. She is averaging a 13.40 goals against and has a .323 save percentage. WU has committed 75 turnovers this season and have 53 caused turnovers.

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

ABOUT THE DUCKS: Oregon is 5-2 overall and is 3-0 in league play. They face Vermont on Friday prior to Sunday's match-up against Colorado.

Shannon Williams leads the team in points (30) and goals (20). She has 33 shots on goal this season for a .717%. Bella Pyne is second on the team with 41 points (18g, 7a), while Mariah Gatti is third with 23 points (20g, 3a). Jojo Hesketh had earned 29 draw controls this season for the Ducks and Jill Zubillaga is second on the team with 16.

The Ducks have 83 caused turnovers this season; Jill Zubillaga and Pyne have forced 13 apiece. In net, Becca Katzen has started in all seven games. She has a 10.15 goals against average and a .357 save percentage. The Ducks have outscored their opponents 94-72 and have out-shot them 198-169. They also have the edge in draw controls (99-78) and caused turnovers (83-67).

THE SERIES: Colorado leads the all-times series against Oregon at 4-0. This meeting is just the second time the two teams have met in Boulder. CU played Oregon twice last season, once in the regular season and again in the first round of the MPSF Tournament on April 28, 2016. CU recorded an 11-3 decision in that game.

HOME GAME INFORMATION: All of Colorado's home games will be played at Kittredge Field. Admission is free, as is parking in Lot 416 one hour prior to each game.

PROMOTIONS:
• Ralphie's Green Stampede will be giving away 50 reusable water bottles prior to Wednesday's game against Winthrop.
• Prior to the game against Oregon on Sunday, CU will host Healthy Kids Day, which will run from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Healthy Kids Day will consist of pre-game stations hosted by various sports that will promote a healthy and active lifestyle and will be followed by snacks and an autograph session.

UP NEXT: Colorado will finish up a three-game home stand on Saturday, March 25, against Fresno State. Opening draw will be at 12 p.m.