Colorado
6-5
San Diego State
5-9
Buffs Cruise Past Aztecs in Pride Game
April 07, 2023 | Lacrosse
BOULDER – Back at home, Colorado Lacrosse picked up its third straight win after defeating San Diego State 17-4 here Friday afternoon in Colorado's annual Pride Game.
The Buffaloes (6-5, 4-1 Pac-12) were able to stay hot with the dominant victory over the Aztecs (5-9), now winning five of their last six games and their third straight at home.
"Coming off the road stretch where we went to USC, Arizona State and then to Oregon we didn't feel like we were really playing that well, especially defensively and especially just in general as a team," head coach Ann Elliott Whidden said. "In practice this week we focused on just playing as a team. We know we're capable, but just getting back to some of the basics, playing as a team and coming out here with that kind of attitude, I thought they did a pretty good job overall, which was good."
Colorado had a great day on the draw, winning 20 draws compared to SDSU's five. Those wins allowed the Buffs to create possessions on the offensive end which turned into 42 shots, 27 of which were on goal.
CU was firing on all cylinders throughout the entire game, scoring within the first minute in each of the first three quarters. Sam McGee and Charlie Rudy continued their offensive productivity, accounting for more than half of the team's goals. McGee put the ball in the back of the net five times while Rudy picked up her 10th hat trick of the season.
The defense was a force this afternoon, allowing just 12 total shots the entire game and causing eight Aztec turnovers. Danielle Heintz got the start in net today for the Buffs and she put together a solid performance, racking up six saves on 10 shots on goal.
Colorado Lacrosse will look to continue its success next Friday in a tough matchup in Boulder against USC. The Trojans got the best of the Buffs in their last meeting in March, winning 17-13.
"It's going to be a battle for us. In general, they're very well coached; we struggled defensively. They're really hard to play defense against. All of their players can put the ball in the back of the net. They're all a threat, but we got to do a better job defensively," Whidden said about Southern Cal.
"There [at USC], we did a good job on the draws. We have to find a way to do another good job to give ourselves possession. And just in general, we have to handle pressure better. We didn't do a good job of that at USC and so if we can do those things, I think we'll be okay."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Buffs wasted no time getting going as McGee scored a quick stick goal on a pass from Stokes within the first minute of the game. Shortly after, the Aztecs answered back with a free-position goal to make it 1-1. Approaching the seven-minute mark in the first quarter, McGee picked up her second goal to put CU up 3-1. Colorado scored again quickly which forced a San Diego State timeout with 6:43 remaining. Out of the timeout, SDSU put another free-position shot into the back of the net to cut its deficit to two at 4-2. No scoring occurred in the final minutes of the quarter as the Buffs held a 4-2 lead heading into the second.
McGee recorded a hat trick with a free-position goal less than a minute into the quarter. With 10:44 left in the first half, Lily Assini scored her first goal of the day to put Colorado up 6-2. Rudy ripped a top shelf goal on a player-up opportunity with just under five minutes remaining, making it 8-2. The Buffs took a seven-goal lead at 9-2 after another goal from Rudy. CU kept that 9-2 lead heading into halftime.
The Buffs continued their fast starts with another goal within the first minute of the quarter. Shortly after, Madeline Pisani ripped a bounce shot goal to put Colorado up 12-2 and force a San Diego State timeout with 11:39 remaining in the third quarter.
Following the timeout, the Aztecs were able to score their third goal on a free-position attempt. McGee responded for CU with an underhand goal across the crease to put the Buffs back up by 10 at 13-3. Colorado led 14-3 entering the fourth quarter.
Rudy started the scoring for the Buffs in the final quarter with a bouncer to the top shelf. She scored again just a few minutes later to give CU a 16-3 lead. With just under eight minutes left in the game, San Diego State got a stop on defense and turned it into a goal on the other end. Colorado was able to see a lot of young faces enter the game in the fourth quarter and Molly Reed was one of those players who made the most of her playing time, scoring her first career goal. The Buffs cruised to a 17-4 victory.
UP NEXT:
Colorado Lacrosse will face off against USC in Boulder on Friday, April 14th at 4:00 p.m. MT.
