Colorado Sweeps Pac-12 POTW Awards, Pisani Honored Twice
February 20, 2024 | Lacrosse
BOULDER, Colo. — The Pac-12 Conference announced Tuesday afternoon that Colorado's Madeline Pisani and Jess Peluso were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week. Pisani was also named IWLCA (Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association) Offensive Player of the Week, taking home both offensive honors for the week.
Colorado swept their first road trip during the 2024 season this past weekend, taking down Penn State and Saint Joseph's, moving to 3-0.
This is the first player of the week honor for Colorado since Charlie Rudy did it last season in the month of April, after scoring 10 goals against USC and Arizona State.
IWLCA / PAC-12 OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Pisani is tabbed Offensive Player of the Week after back-to-back impressive performances over the weekend. She lead CU in each game with four goals, including the game-winner in both contests. It is the first player of the week award for the senior, and is just the third instance in program history when Colorado has claimed the IWLCA Offensive Player of the Week award, last occurring during the 2018 season (Darby Kiernan).
Leading her team with 13 goals through the first three games, Pisani also leads the Pac-12 and is tied for fourth nationally in goals scored and has already set her career-high for a single season. She has scored four or more times during Colorado's three-game winning streak to start the year.
PAC-12 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Peluso is honored with Defensive Player of the Week after playing a pivotal role for a Colorado team that allowed just 15 goals over the weekend. In those two games she tallied six caused turnovers, three ground balls, and one draw control. It is the first time since the 2022 season that a Buffalo has earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week Honors.
She logged a career-high three caused turnovers and three ground balls in Sunday's win against Saint Joe's and forced a turnover on the final possession for the Hawks, leading to a Buffs win. Peluso also had a team-high three caused turnovers in the upset win over the Nittany Lions Friday evening. After three games, she sits alone at the top of the conference with six total caused turnovers.
GAME-WINNING GOALS
She does it ?????????? ??
— Colorado Buffaloes Lacrosse (@CUBuffsWLax) February 18, 2024
We have the lead in the final minutes of this one.
?? ESPN+#GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/phIwKh0tQr
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
