Colorado University Athletics

CU Lacrosse Set For Inaugural Home Game Saturday

CU Lacrosse Set For Inaugural Home Game Saturday

QUICKLY: The University of Colorado lacrosse team plays its inaugural home game on Saturday, Feb. 22. The Buffaloes open home play against the Regis Rangers at Folsom Field. First draw is at noon, but get there early to see Ralphie run and be one of the first 500 fans in attendance to receive a free commemorative lacrosse ball. Free parking is available in lots 169, 396 and 494.  

SCOUTING THE REGIS RANGERS: For the second time in as many games, CUGÇÖs match-up with a team will be the opponentGÇÖs season opener. The Buffs play host to the Rangers, who finished last season with a 10-5 overall, 8-2 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference record, including a 4-3 away mark. In 2013, Regis ranked in the Division II top 10 in draw controls per game (a DII-leading 17.67), scoring offense, goals per game (a 16.4 gpg average) and caused turnovers. The Rangers return nine starters and 15 letterwinners from last yearGÇÖs squad, while welcoming five newcomers. RegisGÇÖ three non-returning starters (all Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association honorable mentions) combined for 55 goals last season, but the Rangers return four first-team All-WILA members who racked up 144 points in 2013.

LAST TIME OUT: Colorado and Denver opened Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play on Wednesday, with the No. 18 ranked Pioneers defeating the young Buffs 15-4. DU built an impressive 7-0 lead by halftime and a 14-0 lead with 12:51 remaining in the second half. CU scored all four of its goals in the final eight minutes of play, allowing just one DU response in that time, but the Pioneers had already built too large of a stronghold for CU to recover.  DU shined in every statistic and every intangible, putting their experience to work against the first-season Buffs. The reigning MPSF regular season champions outshot CU 33-18, scooped up five more ground balls (14 to nine) and caused 12 of CUGÇÖs 18 total turnovers. DUGÇÖs goalies combined for a total of 10 saves and the Pioneer defense held the Buffs scoreless in their four free position attempts. The area where CU shined was in draw controls, grabbing 12 to DUGÇÖs 10.

LAST MINUTE SURGE: Finding themselves down 14-0 to the No. 18 Pioneers, the Buffs proved that they never give up, from first draw to the final whistle, going on a 4-1 scoring run to end the game. After having her goals called off earlier in the game, Cali Castagnola was finally able to help get the Buffs on the board, assisting Katie Carroll to CUGÇÖs first goal. With 5:50 remaining, Johnna Fusco rushed in and shot to the left post to give the Buffs their second. Just over one minute later, Marie Moore got an assist from Carroll, forcing DU to take a timeout. In the final minute, Moore won her fourth draw control of the game, and again connected with Carroll to close the game at 15-4. 

THE FUSCO, THE PROUD: After an outstanding performance in CUGÇÖs inaugural opening weekend, Johnna Fusco earned Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Rookie of the Week and CU Athlete of the Week honors. The midfielder from Marietta, Ga. leads the Buffs with 10 points off six goals and four assists. Fusco netted three goals and contributed three assists to help CU to a 12-4 win at Stetson. Against Jacksonville, Fusco had two goals and an assist. Her first goal was the BuffGÇÖs first of the game and her first assist helped tie things up at 4-4.

PROGRAM FIRSTS: With three games under their belts, the Buffs continue to record program firsts, continuing this weekend with their inaugural home opener. Cali Castagnola and Katie Macleay both stand out as CU history makers. Castagnola was the first Buff to score a goal, score off a free position shot and record a hat trick. Macleay contributed CUGÇÖs first assist and was the first Buff to record both a goal and assist in a single game and the first to score a goal both while the Buffs were a man up and a man down. Macleay is also the only Buff to have two hat tricks, doing so in back-to-back games to open the season.

A HAT TRICK OF HAT TRICKS: In CUGÇÖs inaugural game, three Buffs scored three or more goals. Castagnola seemingly breezed through the first CU hat trick, scoring her third goal with 15:49 remaining in the first half. She netted her fourth with 22:10 left in the second. Macleay and Johnna Fusco joined Castagnola with under four minutes remaining in regulation against Stetson. In their next game, at Jacksonville, Macleay became the first Buff to record two hat tricks and the first to earn hat tricks in back-to-back games. Against Jacksonville, Moore also joined CUGÇÖs young hat trick club.

THE MOORE THE MERRIER: Marie Moore ties a team-high six goals through three games, grabbing her first hat trick against Jacksonville on February 15. Moore is strong on the draw, leading the Buffs with 14 draw controls including a CU game-record seven against Jacksonville. Moore has also caused three turnovers and scooped up two ground balls.

NEXT UP: The Buffs have a bye week before hosting Temple on Tuesday, March 4. First draw is at 3 p.m. at Kittredge Field. Free parking is available in lot 416.