No. 22 Buffs Defense Holds As Offense Explodes Against No. 19 Hokies

BOULDER – Playing its third top-25 match-up in five games, the Colorado lacrosse team knew it needed to make a statement. And that is exactly what the No. 22 Buffaloes did as they defeated No. 19 Virginia Tech in dominating style (18-3) on Sunday afternoon at Kittredge Field.

The win moved the Buffs to 3-2 overall as they enter Pac-12 Conference play next week, while the Hokies are now 4-3.

Three Buffs accounted for 13 of CU's 18 goals. Junior Miranda Stinson tallied five goals, while senior Carly Cox and junior Samantha Nemirov each had four goals.

But it was not all offense as CU's defense held strong and allowed a season-best three goals against an offense that entered the game averaging 13.17 goals per game. Redshirt sophomore Julia Lisella, in just her second career start, stopped a career-high 11 shots.

WHAT HAPPENED: Colorado did not wait long to start scoring in the contest, striking first less than 90 second into the game with a goal from Cox after a quick pass from Darby Kiernan. Just over three minutes later, it was Kiernan with an unassisted goal to put CU up by two.

The Buffs would score three more markers before the first 10 minutes of the half passed with Nemirov recording two and junior Blair Sisk finding the back of the net. CU kept the pressure on as Stinson scored back-to-back goals at 15:39 and 14:34, the first of which came on a free-position attempt. Just 30 seconds after Stinson's second goal, Nemirov earned her third goal of the contest with the assist from Cox. Cox scored her second of the game at 11:22 to give the Buffs a 9-0 advantage.

The Hokies ended CU's scoring run with a goal at 10:02, but the Buffs would find the back of the next four more times before the first half expired with goals from Stinson, Nemirov, Cox and junior Sophie Castillo.

CU had a running clock after it went up by 10 in the first half, and led 13-1 at halftime. The Hokies recorded the first score of the second half, but again the Buffs answered, this time scoring five straight goals. Freshman Sadie Grozier started the scoring streak at 23:22. Stinson scored a pair of goals in the run and the Buffs also picked up goals from Cox and Kiernan.

The final goal of the game was for Virginia Tech, which came with 1:40 remaining.

DEFENSE: CU's defense stifled Virginia Tech, holding the Hokies to a season-low three goals.

KEY STATISTICS: Colorado had 22 of its 25 shots on goal. The Buffs led in all of the major stat categories. They won 12 of 22 draw controls, recorded 18 of 32 ground balls and had 11 saves to the Hokies' four. CU also cleared on 23-of-24 attempts.

NOTABLE:

The Buffs scored the first nine goals of the game, which marked the second time in two years CU has scored nine goals before the opponent has gotten on the board, which is a CU record in non-shutout games. The last time that happened was April 21, 2017, against St. Mary's.
CU's 11 assists is the third most ever recorded by the Buffs in a single game. The record is 15, which was set on April 17, 2015.
Darby Kiernan's five assists is the second most in a single game by a Buffalo.
The 18 goals is the most CU has even put up on a ranked team – the previous record was 16, which CU recorded in a 16-11 win at No. 6/5 Penn State on March 12, 2017.
The three goals allowed ties the fewest ranked opponent goals allowed by the Buffs. CU also allowed three goals in a 14-3 victory against No. 14 Denver March 3, 2017.
Julia Lisella is just the second Buff in five years to record 10 or more saves in a single game.
CU is 1-2 against Top-25 ranked teams this season.
The win streak at Kittredge Field was extended to 12 games and dates back to 2016. In total, the Buffs have won 13 straight in Boulder as they played one contest in the Indoor Practice Facility on March 19, a 16-11 victory against Oregon.
Overall, CU is 28-5 in games played in Boulder.
Five Buffs have recorded points in all five games this season: Darby Kiernan, Sophie Castillo, Carly Cox, Samantha Nemirov and Miranda Stinson.

TEAM LEADERS:

Colorado
Points: 29
Goals: 18
Assists: 11
Draw Controls: 12
Ground Balls: 18
Saves: 11

Virginia Tech
Points: 4
Goals: 3
Assists: 1
Draw Controls: 10
Ground Balls: 14
Saves: 4

UP NEXT: Colorado opens Pac-12 Conference play next Friday, March 9, against Stanford at Kittredge Field. Opening draw is set for 3 p.m.

QUOTEABLE:
Head Coach Ann Elliott
On the feeling after the big win
"I feel pretty good. I think that we were able to execute our game plan both offensively and defensively for 60 minutes. We still have a lot to improve on, but I thought that we did a great job."

On the great play from both the offense and defense
"We had all week to practice so I think it's just going out and executing the game plan. It was nice to see both things finally come together."

On the team's confidence level following the win
"We enter conference play next weekend and we start off with Stanford, which is a great game. They've been playing really well lately. We know it's a tough challenge, we're enjoying this for now and getting back to work when we start practice on Tuesday."

On the play of Goalie Julia Lisella
"As a whole, I believe we did well defensively. We stuck to our game plan and forced shots under pressure. Julia did a great job stepping up and making saves that we needed her to make. It's a huge momentum swing for us."

On taking a ten goal lead
"Regardless of the score, it's about us going out there and executing. I think that when our players were able to put practice into the game, it kept building their confidence and they understood what they were doing."

Senior attacker Carly Cox
On today's win
"It was an awesome win. We came out really excited. We prepped a lot this week so to come out to have good energy and get a good win feels great."

Difference between last game and this game
"This week we did a lot of refocusing in on our goals and ourselves. We prepped really well so I think the energy was different which made a difference."

On confidence
"I think we are definitely getting into a bit of a groove which is really great for us to head into our conference so we are excited."

Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Julia Lisella
On her performance
"It really meant everything to me to come out here on our home field. It's a beautiful day out and to get that win in front of a good crowd against a good team is great."

On difference between today and last week:
"Today we really just executed in the little things. We played together and played a full 60 minutes. We prepared all week and we went out there and did what we know how to do best."

On only allowing three goals and having career high in saves:
"It was a good game. I did my best and prepare every week how I should. It's a good feeling."

No. 22 Buffs Defense Holds As Offense Explodes Against No. 19 Hokies

Next Event

Team Stats

Miranda Stinson

Carly Cox

Samantha Nemirov

Darby Kiernan

Players Mentioned

Carly Cox

Sadie Grozier

Darby Kiernan

Julia Lisella

Samantha Nemirov

Blair Sisk

Miranda Stinson

Players Mentioned

Carly Cox

Sadie Grozier

Darby Kiernan

Julia Lisella

Samantha Nemirov

Blair Sisk

Miranda Stinson

No. 22 Buffs Defense Holds As Offense Explodes Against No. 19 Hokies

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Carly Cox

Sadie Grozier

Darby Kiernan

Julia Lisella

Samantha Nemirov

Blair Sisk

Miranda Stinson

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