The rivalry between the University of Colorado Buffaloes (6-2) and the Colorado State University (10-2) lacrosse teams continue this year in the 8th Annual Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Showdown.
The showdown will take place at INVESCO Field at Mile High Saturday April 16 at 6 p.m.
“Every time our two teams step on the field, it is a passionate game,” the Buffaloes’ head coach Mike Ryder said. “To meet our rival on a big stage is going to be challenge, but I think the staff is confident and our players are confident that we will be able to put a loss in the CSU win column.”
In the past years when the two have met at INVESCO, they have traded wins and losses. In 2008, the Rams beat the Buffs 8-4. The following year CU took the win in a victory over CSU with a score of 11-4. Last year, CSU claimed another win in a 13-6 victory at Dick Sporting Goods Field.
Ryder hopes to come out of the match this year with a win. Last year, the team saw a coaching change mid-season which undoubtedly had an affect on their performance.
“Last year was a tough game because we had just taken over as a new staff three days earlier,” Ryder said. “We hadn’t had a chance to put in the new system and we had to use our old system in the CSU game. We didn’t have much success with those old systems, but the next week we were able to turn around and beat No. 1 Michigan with our system in place.”
While the new system has been proven against Michigan, competing against Colorado State will be another test.
“It will be nice to see out team compete in a non-fall ball atmosphere against Colorado State with our new system because we are confident in what we run, but CSU is a very good team also.”
For the freshmen, the game is as a chance to become a part of something special.
“I’m psyched to get a chance to play them,” freshman goalie Mitch Fenton said. “We’ve been talking about this game before the season even started. I’m really looking forward to playing at INVESCO since it’s a legit stadium in front of a ton of people.”
Other freshmen said they felt the same and that this as an opportunity to showcase the Buffs’ talents.
“This is chance for the team to make a big statement this year,” freshman long-stick defenseman Hayden McClain said. “If we beat them, we’re proving that we’re a really good team.”
While making their way to the showdown, the Buffaloes hope to capture wins over Chapman on Sat. April 9 at 3 p.m. and Texas Tech April 10 at 1 p.m. They hope to gain momentum that will help them in the game against CSU.
After the Mile High Showdown, the two teams will meet again in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Championship playoffs from May 5-7 and May 17-21 at the National Tournament.
Tickets for the game can be purchased for $10 in advance or for $12 at the box office the day of the game.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Shay Knolle at shay.knolle@colorado.edu
