Colorado sophomore Sarah Lautman heads down the field against Regis University game on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. (Maddie Shumway/CU Independent)
The University of Colorado women’s lacrosse team netted a strong win over the Temple Owls, 15-6, on Kittredge Field Tuesday, March 4 after coming off a bye week.
The young team of mostly freshmen – just two sophomores are on the team – took the lead with a goal by midfielder Marie Moore right out of the opening draw with just a minute off the clock. This was the second-fastest goal in the team’s short history.
“We had a long time to prepare and worked hard so that we could do well today,” freshman attacker Cali Castagnola said. “I think we achieved that. We all worked to make all the goals happen – it was a group effort.”
Castagnola had five goals on the day, which broke her previously held record back in February against Stetson. This game also makes her the leading scorer for the Buffs. The Buffs were assisted by six other players that all had goals: freshman midfielder Marie Moore had three, and both freshman midfielder Johnna Fusco and sophomore midfielder Sara Lautman each had two.
“It feels good for the first time playing on Kittredge,” freshman goalie Paige Soenksen said. “Any team as good as Temple is a great way to start off playing on our home field.”
Defensively, Soenksen was out there all 60 minutes of play, racking up 18 saved goals. That number broke the last goal save record set by Soenksen against Jacksonville (15 saves). In total, she was a brick wall for the Owls’ 32 shots. Becoming a prominent player in the net, Soenksen in the crease is leading the 3-2 record for the Buffs.
“Temple is obviously a really great opponent,” head coach Ann Elliot said. “We have been working and preparing on them for 10 days. Really focusing in on the basics and playing together. We knew Temple wasn’t going to just roll over. Our message at half time was if they wanted it they have to go out and get it.”
The messages were heard loud and clear at half as the Buffs took the second opening with four goals in under three minuets. The first of the 10 second-half goals came in just 22 seconds.
“I think everyday we have kids that are stepping up and working hard,” Elliot said. “For us to be successful we need 23 leaders. Whether they are on the bench or on the field – we need everyone into it. Today, Cali played great and Paige came up with a bunch of big saves. That helped us be successful, but it really takes 23 people everyday.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Gavin B. Griffin at Gavin.griffin@colorado.edu.
