BOULDER — Colorado women’s lacrosse kept its season alive Friday afternoon in Boulder, rallying from a two-goal fourth-quarter deficit to beat Jacksonville 10-9 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Prentup Field.
The Buffs trailed 8-6 early in the fourth before responding immediately. Maddie Shoup scored six seconds after Jacksonville built its biggest lead of the day, Teagan Ryan added the equalizer, and Colorado kept answering in a back-and-forth final period. Freshman Rowan Edson eventually delivered the game-winner with 6:06 left, and the Buffs closed out the final minutes defensively to seal the win.
Shoup led Colorado with 3 goals and 1 assist, while Ryan, Edson, and Jaimey Hill each scored twice. Goalkeeper Elena Oh added four saves as Colorado once again held an opponent under 10 goals.
The win sent Colorado into the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history, kept the Buffs perfect at home this season, and extended their winning streak to eight games.
Now the story gets bigger. With Denver beating Florida later Friday night, Colorado’s comeback win set up an all-Colorado second-round matchup Sunday at Prentup Field. That gives the Buffs a chance to keep their season moving in one of the biggest local lacrosse games Boulder has hosted. A team the Buffs already beat 9-6 earlier this season.
Colorado did not just survive and advance. The Buffs fought back from 8-6 down and turned that win into a Sunday NCAA Tournament showdown with Denver in Boulder.
