Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
Vanderbilt
No. 25 Buffs Set for Season Opener
February 07, 2023 | Lacrosse
Colorado lacrosse kicks off its 10th season this Friday
BOULDER — The University of Colorado women's lacrosse team begins its 10th season this weekend. CU starts the season on the road, facing the Vanderbilt Commodores in Nashville Friday (noon MT) and the University of Louisville in Kentucky Sunday (10 a.m. MT).
The start of the season also marks head coach Ann Elliott Whidden's 10th year at the helm of the program. Whidden has led the Buffs since the program's fruition in 2014 and is only two games shy of earning 100 wins at CU.
The Buffs returned 15 veterans, including two of their top three scorers from the 2022 season. Fifth year Charlie Rudy earned 37 goals and 13 assists last year while sixth year Sam McGee put 31 goals away and had three assists. Defensively, the Buffs returned starting senior goalkeeper Grace Donnelly. Donnelly saved 158 goals last year for a .443 save percentage.
Colorado also added 10 new faces to the team, with a defensive transfer from Marist College and nine first years.
The returning squad, mixed with the addition of new talent, saw Colorado ranked No. 25 in the IWLCA's preseason poll and put CU at third in the Pac-12's preseason poll.
Colorado defeated both Vanderbilt and the Louisville Cardinals last season. The Buffs faced Louisville in their home season opener, where the game had to be moved inside after the first quarter due to a serious snow storm. Colorado powered through the unpredictable day and finished strong with a 14-13 overtime victory. A few weeks later, CU notched their third straight win at home with a 18-11 defeat over the Commodores.
The Buffs' game against Vanderbilt will be streamed on ESPN+ and their game against Louisville will be shown through the ACC Network.
