Colorado
2-0
Penn State
1-1
Buffs Upset No. 14 Penn State at University Park
February 16, 2024 | Lacrosse
Madeline Pisani Records Four Goals, Including Game-Winner
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania — The Colorado women's lacrosse team (2-0) took down No. 14 Penn State 10-9 in thrilling fashion behind Madeline Pisani's four goals and game-winner. In their first top-15 ranked win on the road for the Buffaloes since the 2019 season when they took down the Trojans in Southern California, the Buffs handed Penn State (1-1) their first loss of the season.
In a constant defensive battle, it was CU who prevailed with some late game heroics to steal a road victory against the Nittany Lions. Seven goals in the second half, including four from Pisani, proved to be too much for PSU.
"I am really proud of how this team responded on the road," coach Ann Elliott Whidden said. "At halftime we were in the game but we weren't playing like we came here to win. This team responded and we fought our way back. We focused on what we could control and we found a way to give ourselves chances. The draws were huge for us in the second half and a credit to that group, including Aidan off the bench. She did awesome for us again."
Pisani ended the game with four goals and the go-ahead score with 6:48 left to go. She brings her season total to nine goals after tallying five in the home opener against Louisville. The senior has now scored more goals (9) in the first two contests of the season than she did in the entirety of her career (8) prior to the 2024 season. Pisani has scored at least four or more times in both games to kick off the season.
Seven total Buffaloes found the back of the net in this game (Pisani, Stokes, Hritzuk, Dodd, Kennedy, Shoup, Reed). The Calgary product Emily Dodd recorded her first collegiate goal in the fourth quarter to give the Buffs an 8-7 lead.
"Our offense took a little bit to get going and their goalie made some good saves," Whidden stated. "In the second half I thought we did a good job of just committing to the details in our offense and being a little more aggressive. Madeline was able to find the back of the net again for us in big moments. This group does a great job of creating opportunities for each other and that is key to our success."
Goalkeeper Danielle Heintz had a fantastic day guarding the net, totaling eight saves for a .471 save percentage. The senior allowed just four goals on eight free position attempts from Penn State. Colorado had just two free position attempts, scoring once.
Colorado had nine more fouls than Penn State (16-7), six less free position attempts (8-2), but managed to pull out a gutsy win on the road against a ranked opponent.
"What I am most proud of is our composure at the end of the game," Ann said post game. "We talk about these situations every week. Our offense had the ball with about 4 minutes to go. We didn't convert but we had a great possession and that allowed us to finish out this game. The defense stayed committed and grinded it out for about 2 minutes. Danielle was solid in net and came up big all game. I am so proud of this team for that stretch and maturity early in the season."
INSIDE THE SERIES
The Buffaloes are now 2-0 against the Nittany Lions, defeating them both times they have shared the field, with both games taking place in University Park. The first contest took place in March 2017, when CU won by a score of 16-11 with neither team being ranked at the time.
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a slow start to the game for both sides offensively, until the first score occurred halfway through the first quarter in favor of the Lions. Eve Hritzuk, Colorado's leading scorer heading into the game, recorded her seventh goal of the year to open things up for the Buffs five minutes later. PSU would score once more with 1:29 left and would end the first period with a one-goal lead.
Ashley Stokes tied the game up at two early in the second quarter, scoring in her second consecutive game after her two goals against Louisville. Molly Reed recorded her first goal of the season to give CU their first lead of the game 3-2.
Penn State answered back quickly, scoring three consecutive goals in the final six minutes to give them a 5-3 headed into halftime.
The action picked up at the start of the second half with PSU scoring in just 34 seconds to extend their lead to three. Pisani would then get on the board for the first time all game to keep it close for the Buffs. It would be scoreless for the next eight minutes of play, until Gretchen Gilmore pushed the lead back to three for the Lions with 5:54 left in the third.
Colorado went on to rattle off three consecutive goals (Kennedy, Pisani, and Shoup) in the final five minutes of the period to knot things up at seven-seven.
Freshman Emily Dodd scored her first career goal to open the attack in the final period of play giving the Buffs the lead. Pisani recorded her second consecutive hat trick shortly after, giving CU their biggest advantage of the game. PSU wouldn't back down scoring two goals of their own in the following four minutes leaving the score at nine a piece. After gaining possession from Penn State with 6:48 to go, Pisani slapped in the eventual game-winner, assisted by Rachel Kennedy.
First career goal comes at the right time!
— Colorado Buffaloes Lacrosse (@CUBuffsWLax) February 16, 2024
Emily Dodd scores our fourth consecutive goal for the lead ??
?? B10+ Network #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/bAWmEFoCrZ
Her FOURTH of the game ??
— Colorado Buffaloes Lacrosse (@CUBuffsWLax) February 16, 2024
It's Pisani who regains the lead for the Buffs!
?? B10+ Network#GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/1asWYoR8sV
Both sides went on to trade multiple turnovers, until the Lions got two shots on goal in the final minute of regulation but Heintz was there to tally both saves and clinch a Colorado win on the road.
UP NEXT
The Buffs will play one more game on the road Sunday afternoon at 11:00 a.m. against Saint Joseph's before they head back home.
Coach Ann Elliott Whidden stated, "St. Joes will be a great test for us. This is our first road trip and first two game weekend. It's a lot of travel but we are focused on our mission. We will make sure we recover well and tomorrow get ourselves prepared for Sunday. It's the only game that matters to us and we know it will be a battle Sunday. This team understands we have to earn everything and we have seen that in our first two games. We have depth on this team and we will need that after the grind of tonight."
