The University of Colorado women’s lacrosse team is getting ready to begin its second season as an NCAA Division I team. The young team found success in the 2014 season with their 11-8 score. They also made the postseason in just their first year as a Division I lacrosse team.
Despite being a fairly new team with very young players, head coach Ann Elliott has built a strong foundation with this team, pursuing success.
“Our freshmen last year, probably older than most freshmen across the country, now as sophomores, have so much experience,” Elliott said. “They got to play in a lot of tough games and they got to play in the playoffs in our conference tournament. That experience has really helped to motivate them coming back this year and given them a sense of belief which has given them the ability to help our new freshmen who are making an impact.”
The team has 12 freshmen, 18 sophomores and one junior. The youth that this team has only gives them more energy to compete this season.
“We’re excited about the youth because it gives the players that sense of ‘you can do anything if you are willing to work hard,’” Elliott said.
The incoming freshmen class isn’t as big as last year’s, but there are still 12 new girls on the team.
“Our class and the class above us are very talented and everyone brings a lot to the field everyday and competes really hard,” freshman midfielder Anna Johnson said. “Having a big class makes everyone more competitive and therefore makes everyone better.”
But despite being a young team, class and age don’t matter all that much to the players.
“On our team class doesn’t really matter,” said junior midfielder and oldest team member Sarah Lautman. “Last year we were all new to the program, new to playing in the playoffs and class doesn’t have much of an impact on our team.”
The mentality of everyone being equal is a big part of the Buffs’ success. Everyone on the team respects and strives to learn more from one another. Age is just a number to them.
The Buffs made it to the playoffs their first year as a Division I team, but lost in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation semifinals to No. 18 Stanford 15-16. Even though the Buffs didn’t make it far in the playoffs, they have high hopes for this year’s season.
Sophomore midfielder Johnna Fusco feels more preparation is key to them making the playoffs again.
“I think it is going to be a good season because of the experience we gained from last year,” said Fusco. “Hopefully throughout the preseason we will prepare through each game and our coaches will prepare us to make the postseason again.”
The Buffs’ first game of the season will be a home game against Denver. Denver went 19-2 last season and made it to the NCAA second round of the playoffs before losing to the No. 3 Florida Gators. The game starts at 3 p.m. and will be held at Kittredge Field.
Contact CU Independent Sports Writer Lisa Marcum at lisa.marcum@colorado.edu.
