SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (5/4/11) – The University of Colorado women’s lacrosse team wasted no time in proving that they deserved to be the number one seed at nationals.
The No. 1 Buffaloes jumped out with eight straight goals and never slowed down as they defeated the No. 16 Midland University Warriors (Fremont, Neb.) 18-2 on Wednesday night in the first round of the Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Associates National Championships at the Scottsdale Sports Complex.
The victory is Colorado’s eighth in a row, improving their record 16-1 this season. The Buffs will play No. 9 UCLA on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. MDT in the national quarterfinals. The Bruins defeated No. 8 Michigan 15-11 on Wednesday.
Sarah Tanabe, Stuart Anderson and Andie Soloman finished with three goals each for CU while Avery Toothman, Alexa Jellison and Sarah Shea had two goal nights. Jen Hantke and Jane Frye also scored for the Buffs.
CU began the contest with eight straight goals, including two scores that came on penalty shots by Tootham and Anderson. With less than 15 minutes to play in the first half, Belonda Wolverton finally scored for Midland in what was the Warriors first shot of the game. The Buffs added four more goals in the stanza to take a 12-1 lead at halftime.
Colorado senior goaltender Katie Mulligan had a great first half in net and picked up some well deserved rest in the second as she was replaced in goal by freshman Annie Buckley.
The Buffs continued their offensive onslaught in the second as they found the back of the net six more times and ran away with the 18-2 victory.
Earlier on Wednesday, the WCLA announced its annual award winners with Mulligan being named the league’s Goalie of the Year.
“Katie has come a long way from last year where she only started a few games for us,” said CU head coach Dan Finck. “Her hard work this season has certainly paid off. She has given this team the opportunity to win every game and filled a position that we have always been weak in.”
Mulligan was also named a first team All-American with defender Margaret Hendricks and Anderson (midfield). Midfielder Molly Carstensen and Tanabe (attack) were named second team All-Americans.
For live updates of the Buffs at nationals, follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/CUWomensLax. A live blog will also be available from Lacrosse Magazine at http://www.laxmagazine.com/college_women/club/2010-11/news/050411_live_blog_wcla_lacrosse_national_championship.
CU Women’s Lacrosse website: http://coloradowomenslacrosse.weebly.com/
