In a lineup dominated by seniors, Rowan Edson has been the upstart newcomer.
Yet her status as a rookie hasn’t prevented Edson from collecting a few critical goals for the Colorado women’s lacrosse team this season.
Edson recorded another huge goal on Friday, notching the game-winner with 6 minutes, 6 seconds remaining to help lift the eighth-seeded Buffaloes to a 10-9 victory against Jacksonville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
CU will get a rivalry battle for its postseason encore, hosting the Denver Pioneers in a second-round matchup on Sunday at Prentup Field.
Edson’s winning tally against Jacksonville was her 26th goal of the season, which ties Charlie Rudy’s 2016 total for the sixth-most by a true freshman in team history.
“I think itap just that the team welcomed me with open arms,” said Edson, who also scored the winning goal in overtime during CU’s regular-season win at Jacksonville on April 6. “It was really easy to just find my place.”
Sunday’s contest will be the first postseason pairing between the Buffs and Pioneers, and itap matchup that could shape up to be a slugfest between two of the premier defenses in the nation.
The Buffs began the NCAA Tournament boasting the nation’s top scoring defense, allowing an average of 6.35 goals per game. DU wasn’t far behind, ranking second with 6.61 goals allowed per game. The Pioneers turned in a strong defensive performance in their opening-round win against Florida, holding the Gators to just four goals over the final 46 minutes, 7 seconds in a 16-8 victory.
The Pioneers matched a season-low scoring total when the teams met on April 15, with . DU hasn’t lost since, winning five games in a row that included a championship run through the Big East tournament. The Buffs have won eight consecutive games, the second-longest winning streak in team history, and they have held all 19 of their opponents to single-digit goal totals.
CU’s Rachel Kennedy scored a career-high five goals during the Buffs’ win at DU last month. Caroline Keil and Eva Thomsen-Marr scored two goals apiece for the Pioneers.
“With Denver, we think of the two teams, especially this year, a defensive matchup,” CU head coach Ann Elliott Whidden said. “A defensive matchup with two teams that are going to grind it out on that end. Again, possession will be huge.
“For us, I think itap just the joy of this moment. Itap been a while since we’ve been here. We’re just excited to get to play again. I think we’ve learned a lot from (Jacksonville) how we have to step on to the field. And what an opportunity for this team to get to play another game.”
Denver Pioneers vs. (8) CU Buffs women’s lacrosse
OPENING DRAW: NCAA Tournament second round, Sunday, 1 p.m., Prentup Field.
TV: ESPN+
RECORDS: Denver 16-3; Colorado 15-3.
KEY PLAYERS: Denver — M Olivia Ripple, Jr. (70 goals, 15 assists); A Caroline Keil, R-So. (60 goals, 15 assists); A Eva Thomsen-Marr, So. (43 goals, 32 assists); A Ryan Dineen, Sr. (28 goals, 27 assists); M Karleigh Mutch, Fr. (23 goals, 13 assists); M Caroline Bowers, So. (24 goals, 11 assists); GK Lexi Gwaku, So. (.526 save percentage; 7.00 goals-against average). Colorado — A Maddie Shoup, Sr. (41 goals, 19 assists); M Lily Assini, Sr. (29 goals, 19 assists); A Rachel Kennedy, R-Jr. (27 goals, 12 assists); A Jaimey Hill, Jr. (22 goals, 16 assists); A Teagan Ryan, Jr. (34 goals, three assists); A Rowan Edson, Fr. (26 goals, five assists); GK Elena Oh, So. (.467 save percentage, 6.47 goals-against average).
NOTES: This will be CU’s third appearance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Buffs are seeking their first quarterfinals berth. …. The Buffs had lost three consecutive games against the Pioneers before winning at DU on April 15. Denver leads the series 8-5. … Shoup has recorded 16 goals and six assists in the past five games. … With three goals against Jacksonville in the Buffs’ first-round win, Shoup increased her career total to 93, which ranks 10th in team history. … Assini needs one more assist to become the sixth CU player to record 50 assists in their career. … The Buffs are 8-0 at home. … Erie native Ava Welty has started every game for DU while playing a key role in the Pioneers’ standout defense. … Denver defeated Marquette and Georgetown to win the Big East tournament. … The winner will play either James Madison or top-seeded Northwestern in the quarterfinals.
