Buffs off to No. 2 Northwestern: Five Things to Know

Monday, February 9

Evanston, IL

6 p.m.

Colorado

Northwestern

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

February 07, 2026 | Lacrosse

Game Notes Donate Tickets

By: Seth Pringle, Athletic Communications

Game 1 – at No. 2 Northwestern, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026
Ryan Fieldhouse, Evanston, Ill.
Start: 6 p.m. MT
Watch: B1G+ CUBuffs.com/WatchLax
Live Stats: CUBuffs.com/WlaxStats

EVANSTON, Ill. – Colorado will get the 2026 lacrosse season underway when it takes on No. 2 Northwestern on Monday at Ryan Fieldhouse (6 p.m. MT/B1G+).

The 2026 season marks the 13th for the Buffaloes, with head coach Ann Elliott Whidden leading the program throughout its existence. Colorado is 130-75 (.634) all-time and looks to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2019 season.

The Buffs were picked third in the Big 12 Preseason Coaches' Poll, behind Florida and Arizona State. Colorado finished 8-8 last season and was second in the Big 12 with a 4-1 record.

Northwestern (1-0) started its season with a decisive 20-12 win on Friday at No. 3 Boston College. The Wildcats were the 2025 runners-up, falling to North Carolina in the national championship, 12-8. Northwestern has made three straight national championship appearances and is led by the NCAA's active points leader, Madison Taylor.

Five Things to Know

vs Ranked: Monday will be the Buffs' sixth time opening the season against a ranked opponent. No. 2 Northwestern is the highest-ranked opponent CU has faced to start a season. Colorado is 1-4 all-time against ranked opponents to start a season. Last year, CU started last season with five straight ranked opponents.
Season Openers: Colorado is 6-6 all-time in season openers. The Buffs' last season-opening win came against Louisville, 16-15, in 2024.
Preseason: Colorado had four players selected to the Preseason All-Big 12 team. Jess Peluso, Elena Oh, Maddie Shoup and Lily Assini all earned the conference honors. Peluso was also awarded Co-Preseason Defender of the Year, while Oh was the conference's Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year selection.
New in 2026: CU has nine true freshmen this season, matching the most since 2024. Haylie Abrams (Wading River, N.Y.), Parker Lemm (Lake Oswego, Ore.), Julia Etu (Fredericksburg, Va.), Rowan Edson (Chappaqua, N.Y.), Alison Stevens (Berlin, Mass.), Georgia Rios (Berwyn, Pa.), Ryann McLeod (Tampa, Fla.), Sophia Yeskulsky (San Clemente, Calif.) and Charlotte Yeskulsky (San Clemente, Calif.) make up this year's freshman class.
Goals Back: Colorado scored 178 goals last season, good for 10th in program history. Three of CU's top four scorers are back this season in Maddie Shoup, Lily Assini and Teagan Ryan. The Buffs bring 57.3% of their goals (102) back from last season.

Season and single-game tickets are on sale now at CUBuffs.com/WlaxTix

For more information on Colorado Lacrosse, please visit cubuffs.com/wlax. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffswlax on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook.