Colorado University Athletics
Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Elliott‘s Buffs Focused As Season Draws Near
February 08, 2018 | Lacrosse
BOULDER — As the Colorado lacrosse program enters its fifth season, head coach Ann Elliott knows her team is in uncharted territory. After making the NCAA tournament and climbing to as high as No. 4 in the country last spring, the Buffs have gone from a young, budding bunch, to a top-20 team with a target on their back.
Elliott knows the Buffs won't catch anybody by surprise this season, but that hasn't changed the Buffs' mindset. "I don't think it makes much of a difference to us right now, we're preparing the same way," she said of entering the season ranked 17th in the country. "Right now, we're focused on doing one thing at a time, one game at a time, one practice at a time. That's really been key for us over the last few weeks."
The team will have a new look this season after graduating the program's first senior class last spring. Despite the departure of several key contributors, Elliott knows she has plenty of talent to work with. "I think the talent we return offensively, defensively, and through the midfield is great. While we lost a lot, we're bringing back a lot. To have someone like Sarah [Brown] down there anchoring the defense, surrounded by Kelsie [Garrison] and Olivia [Aschman] gives us a lot of strength."
Offensively, CU returns All-American Darby Kiernan. "Obviously Darby is dynamic. She did a great job on draws and offensively she's just the most unselfish player. When your best player offensively is that unselfish, it goes a long way." Kiernan leads an attacking unit that brings back plenty of fire power, with Miranda Stinson and Carly Cox returning after being key contributors a year ago.
"We graduated a lot of players, so we have a lot of new talent stepping in and we're really starting to find ourselves," Elliott said of this year's team. "We're going to be a little bit different as a team, we're going to play a little different and hopefully be more dynamic across the board. I think it'll be exciting for us."
When the Buffs open conference play in March, they will be members of the Pac-12 Conference. CU leaves behind the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (nine teams) for a six-team Pac-12. Fewer conference foes will allow every team in the Pac-12 to play a home-and-home series. "I think it's really exciting to finally play for a Pac-12 Championship. It will be different; our schedule will be different. We're the only conference to play everybody at home and on the road, that's the first time anybody has done that in lacrosse," Elliot said. "I think it's going to be really exciting for us to have the opportunity to do that. It will help build the conference and build new rivalries, and the excitement for fans to know that every year we're going to have those games at home."
CU will host the inaugural Pac-12 Tournament at Prentup Field, April 26-29. Elliott is excited about the chance to host the event and sees it as a unique opportunity to showcase Colorado Lacrosse to the world. "In terms of hosting the Pac-12 Tournament, it's just really exciting for us. We're not really looking forward right now, but it's exciting to be able to host that here and start the tradition of what (the tournament) looks like and what Pac-12 Lacrosse is all about."
When CU takes the field to open its season against Michigan on Friday, Elliott knows they will be a different team than a year ago but the Buffs are up to the challenge: "We have a very challenging start to our season, which is an exciting position for the program to be in. I think we're very prepared going into this weekend. Our players are really excited to get back on the field, improve on last year and see what we can do this year."
SEASON OPENING PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Colorado Head Coach Ann Elliott
Opening statement
"Last season we had a great start to the season, and a great end making it to our first NCAA Tournament. Heading into this season has been a little bit different than in years past. I think we're ready. We're ready for another quick start playing Michigan and Florida on the road, then we have a quick turnaround to head to Northwestern. Our players are really excited to get back on the field and improve on last year and see what we can do this year."
On difference entering the season with a target on their back
"I don't think it makes much of a difference to us right now, we're preparing the same way. Right now, we're focused on doing one thing at a time, one game at a time, one practice at a time. That's really been key for us over the last few weeks. We have a very challenging start to our season, which is an exciting position for the program to be in versus years past."
On refocusing on lacrosse after the tragic death of a teammate
"I think the start of our season has obviously been different. It's hard. Our players have gone through a lot of emotions, a lot of ups and downs, and they will throughout the season. I think when we stick to our values, focus on the things we can control, get back to the basics of one thing at a time, that's going to drive us in the right direction as we get into our season and the games this weekend. I think they've really bought into to just being together and working together."
On changing conferences and hosting the inaugural Pac-12 Tournament
"I think it's really exciting to finally play for a Pac-12 Championship. It will be different, there are less teams in the Pac-12 than there were in the MPSF. Our schedule will be different, we're the only conference to play everybody at home and on the road, that's the first time anybody has done that in lacrosse. I think it's going to be really exciting for us to have the opportunity to do that, I think it will help build the conference and build new rivalries, and the excitement for fans to know that every year we're going to have those games at home. In terms of hosting the Pac-12 Championship, it's just really exciting for us. We're not really looking forward right now, but it's exciting to be able to host that here and start the tradition of what (the tournament) looks like and what Pac-12 lacrosse is all about."
On Pac-12 Championship being played on real grass
"We play on a lot of grass this year in general. We're playing over at Prentup later this season when we play Arizona State, so I think that'll give us a good test run of what it's like to be over there, more with the routine and what pregame looks like than anything else."
On what needs to be done to take the next step as a program
"Our game is going to be a little bit different this year, we have some new rules, we'll play with the shot clock again so it's going to be fast, but we have free movement which means no more stopping on the whistle, so we've really been trying to get used to that pace of play. We graduated a lot of players so we have a lot of new talent stepping in, a lot in the junior class, some freshmen and sophomores stepping up, so we're really starting to find ourselves. I think we're very prepared going into this weekend. We're going to be a little bit different as a team, we're going to play a little bit different and hopefully be more dynamic across the board. I think it'll be exciting for us."
On goalies stepping up after Paige Soenksen's graduation
"Anytime you lose a four-year starter in goal, especially someone as confident and steady as Paige was back there, it's a hard role to fill. I think we have a lot of talent with Sophia [Gambitsky], whose in her fifth year here and Julia [Lisella]. They've been playing really well over the last couple of weeks and they've both been competing. I think they're going to continue to compete and continue to push each other. Bringing Mitch [Fenton] onto my staff this year, his focus has really been on them and I think he's done a great job of working with them and helping them get better every day. I think it's going to be a battle throughout (the season) and it'll be exciting to see what happens this weekend. I think anything is possible as they compete. Neither of them have really have much game experience. I think Sophia has one start and Paige has every other start over the last four years, so we're trying to get them as much experience as we can to see how they respond and we'll go from there."
On importance of bringing back two All-Americans in Darby Kiernan and Sarah Brown
"I think the talent we return offensively, defensively, and through the midfield is great. While we lost a lot, we're bringing back a lot. To have someone like Sarah down there anchoring the defense, surrounded by Kelsie [Garrison] and Olivia [Aschman] gives us a lot of strength. Obviously Darby [Kiernan] is dynamic, she did a great job on draws and offensively she's just the most unselfish player. When your best player offensively is that unselfish, it goes a long way. Having her back and stepping into more of a leadership role has been really huge, but it's going to be about all seven of them offensively."
Elliott knows the Buffs won't catch anybody by surprise this season, but that hasn't changed the Buffs' mindset. "I don't think it makes much of a difference to us right now, we're preparing the same way," she said of entering the season ranked 17th in the country. "Right now, we're focused on doing one thing at a time, one game at a time, one practice at a time. That's really been key for us over the last few weeks."
The team will have a new look this season after graduating the program's first senior class last spring. Despite the departure of several key contributors, Elliott knows she has plenty of talent to work with. "I think the talent we return offensively, defensively, and through the midfield is great. While we lost a lot, we're bringing back a lot. To have someone like Sarah [Brown] down there anchoring the defense, surrounded by Kelsie [Garrison] and Olivia [Aschman] gives us a lot of strength."
Offensively, CU returns All-American Darby Kiernan. "Obviously Darby is dynamic. She did a great job on draws and offensively she's just the most unselfish player. When your best player offensively is that unselfish, it goes a long way." Kiernan leads an attacking unit that brings back plenty of fire power, with Miranda Stinson and Carly Cox returning after being key contributors a year ago.
"We graduated a lot of players, so we have a lot of new talent stepping in and we're really starting to find ourselves," Elliott said of this year's team. "We're going to be a little bit different as a team, we're going to play a little different and hopefully be more dynamic across the board. I think it'll be exciting for us."
When the Buffs open conference play in March, they will be members of the Pac-12 Conference. CU leaves behind the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (nine teams) for a six-team Pac-12. Fewer conference foes will allow every team in the Pac-12 to play a home-and-home series. "I think it's really exciting to finally play for a Pac-12 Championship. It will be different; our schedule will be different. We're the only conference to play everybody at home and on the road, that's the first time anybody has done that in lacrosse," Elliot said. "I think it's going to be really exciting for us to have the opportunity to do that. It will help build the conference and build new rivalries, and the excitement for fans to know that every year we're going to have those games at home."
CU will host the inaugural Pac-12 Tournament at Prentup Field, April 26-29. Elliott is excited about the chance to host the event and sees it as a unique opportunity to showcase Colorado Lacrosse to the world. "In terms of hosting the Pac-12 Tournament, it's just really exciting for us. We're not really looking forward right now, but it's exciting to be able to host that here and start the tradition of what (the tournament) looks like and what Pac-12 Lacrosse is all about."
When CU takes the field to open its season against Michigan on Friday, Elliott knows they will be a different team than a year ago but the Buffs are up to the challenge: "We have a very challenging start to our season, which is an exciting position for the program to be in. I think we're very prepared going into this weekend. Our players are really excited to get back on the field, improve on last year and see what we can do this year."
SEASON OPENING PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Colorado Head Coach Ann Elliott
Opening statement
"Last season we had a great start to the season, and a great end making it to our first NCAA Tournament. Heading into this season has been a little bit different than in years past. I think we're ready. We're ready for another quick start playing Michigan and Florida on the road, then we have a quick turnaround to head to Northwestern. Our players are really excited to get back on the field and improve on last year and see what we can do this year."
On difference entering the season with a target on their back
"I don't think it makes much of a difference to us right now, we're preparing the same way. Right now, we're focused on doing one thing at a time, one game at a time, one practice at a time. That's really been key for us over the last few weeks. We have a very challenging start to our season, which is an exciting position for the program to be in versus years past."
On refocusing on lacrosse after the tragic death of a teammate
"I think the start of our season has obviously been different. It's hard. Our players have gone through a lot of emotions, a lot of ups and downs, and they will throughout the season. I think when we stick to our values, focus on the things we can control, get back to the basics of one thing at a time, that's going to drive us in the right direction as we get into our season and the games this weekend. I think they've really bought into to just being together and working together."
On changing conferences and hosting the inaugural Pac-12 Tournament
"I think it's really exciting to finally play for a Pac-12 Championship. It will be different, there are less teams in the Pac-12 than there were in the MPSF. Our schedule will be different, we're the only conference to play everybody at home and on the road, that's the first time anybody has done that in lacrosse. I think it's going to be really exciting for us to have the opportunity to do that, I think it will help build the conference and build new rivalries, and the excitement for fans to know that every year we're going to have those games at home. In terms of hosting the Pac-12 Championship, it's just really exciting for us. We're not really looking forward right now, but it's exciting to be able to host that here and start the tradition of what (the tournament) looks like and what Pac-12 lacrosse is all about."
On Pac-12 Championship being played on real grass
"We play on a lot of grass this year in general. We're playing over at Prentup later this season when we play Arizona State, so I think that'll give us a good test run of what it's like to be over there, more with the routine and what pregame looks like than anything else."
On what needs to be done to take the next step as a program
"Our game is going to be a little bit different this year, we have some new rules, we'll play with the shot clock again so it's going to be fast, but we have free movement which means no more stopping on the whistle, so we've really been trying to get used to that pace of play. We graduated a lot of players so we have a lot of new talent stepping in, a lot in the junior class, some freshmen and sophomores stepping up, so we're really starting to find ourselves. I think we're very prepared going into this weekend. We're going to be a little bit different as a team, we're going to play a little bit different and hopefully be more dynamic across the board. I think it'll be exciting for us."
On goalies stepping up after Paige Soenksen's graduation
"Anytime you lose a four-year starter in goal, especially someone as confident and steady as Paige was back there, it's a hard role to fill. I think we have a lot of talent with Sophia [Gambitsky], whose in her fifth year here and Julia [Lisella]. They've been playing really well over the last couple of weeks and they've both been competing. I think they're going to continue to compete and continue to push each other. Bringing Mitch [Fenton] onto my staff this year, his focus has really been on them and I think he's done a great job of working with them and helping them get better every day. I think it's going to be a battle throughout (the season) and it'll be exciting to see what happens this weekend. I think anything is possible as they compete. Neither of them have really have much game experience. I think Sophia has one start and Paige has every other start over the last four years, so we're trying to get them as much experience as we can to see how they respond and we'll go from there."
On importance of bringing back two All-Americans in Darby Kiernan and Sarah Brown
"I think the talent we return offensively, defensively, and through the midfield is great. While we lost a lot, we're bringing back a lot. To have someone like Sarah down there anchoring the defense, surrounded by Kelsie [Garrison] and Olivia [Aschman] gives us a lot of strength. Obviously Darby [Kiernan] is dynamic, she did a great job on draws and offensively she's just the most unselfish player. When your best player offensively is that unselfish, it goes a long way. Having her back and stepping into more of a leadership role has been really huge, but it's going to be about all seven of them offensively."
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