US Lacrosse Magazine released the Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Women’s Preseason Top 20 on Jan. 2. Team-by-team previews will be unveiled on uslaxmagazine.com through the end of the month and will also appear as part of the magazine’s NCAA preview edition in February. 

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No. 18 Colorado

2018 Record: 14-6 (9-1 Pac-12)
Coach: Ann Elliott Whidden (6th year)

All-Time Record: 65-30
NCAA Appearances: 2
Final Fours: 0
Championships: 0

During the 2018 season, Colorado experienced both highs and lows on and off the field that affected their mentality, but their ability to bounce back was also evident. 

In one of their toughest years, playing for passed teammate Julia Sarcona, the Buffs went on to win the inaugural Pac-12 regular season crown, but then dropped the tournament title to Stanford on their home turf. A week later, they dominated Jacksonville in the first round of the NCAA tournament, but then fell to Florida for the second time that year. 

“Whether it’s good or bad, things are always related,” said Colorado coach Ann Elliott Whidden. “This team really showed that resilience and ability to compete to win that first regular season in the Pac-12.

“Going into the Pac-12 tournament, we were excited and looking forward to it, and we thought things would go a different way, but didn’t,” she continued. “It created a bit of a chip on our shoulder heading into this season, just knowing we had that chance at home and we kind of blew it.”

This season, however, brings a “different” vibe, she said. While the Buffs of 2018 could rely on its biggest stars, namely attacker and draw specialist Darby Kiernan and conference defender of the year Sarah Brown, the Buffs of 2019 need to focus on being a scrappier team that controls the 50-50 balls. 

“Hopefully, we’ve always been a little bit scrappy, but this year’s team is really going to be about the whole,” Elliott Whidden said. “I think this team understands it’s going to take everybody that’s on the field. There’s not going to be one player that’s going to make the play and win us the game or win us the championship.”

Against Stanford in the Pac-12 final, Kiernan had nine of the team’s 12 draw controls, while Brown snagged two. Against Florida in the NCAAs, the dynamic duo combined for 11 of 14 draw controls. Statistically, Brown and Kiernan essentially carried the team into the postseason, topping the charts in nearly every valued category. Brown led in caused turnovers and ground balls, while Kiernan dominated in draw controls, points, goals and assists.

Moving into the center field, a key trio – Kiernan (159 draw controls), Brown (81) and defender Kelsie Garrison (32), all of whom graduated – was the glue in transition. The next closest mark was just five draw controls each from Miranda Stinson and Devon Bayer, who are now a senior and sophomore, respectively. 

Offensively, Colorado also lost their fourth-leading attacker Carly Cox.

“We’ll miss them in all facets,” Elliott Whidden said. “A player like Darby, you miss a lot. She really was key for us with draw controls, being steady with that position. You knew what you were going to get every game from her. 

“Carly Cox was another huge attacker we lost ... [and Brown and Garrison] leave a bigger hole than probably people would think,” she continued. “We obviously miss those four people who started and were consistent for us, but at the same time, that’s why I say this team is different. Our mentality defensively is a whole team. Not that we didn’t have that before, but when you have solid one-on-one defenders you can leave them to do their thing.”

While there are more unknowns this year than in seasons past, Colorado still is remaining optimistic, using that chip to fuel their path to the playoffs.

“That’s the mentality of this group,” Elliott Whidden said. “They’re very committed to every day getting better. … To be successful and where we want to be at the end of the year as much as April matters, February matters and every game we play matters when it comes down to the [NCAA] selection.”

The Case For Colorado

After a championship regular season and a loss in the inaugural tournament final, Colorado has all the fire it needs to come back and claim the title it thought it should have won last year. A strong freshman class will step up, including attackers Charlie Rudy and Liz Phillips and midfielder Sabrina Robbins. An increased focus on the draw has sophomores Devon Bayer and Eliza Cahill and senior Miranda Stinson sharing the role. IWLCA Goalie of the Year Julia Lisella will continue to anchor the young defense with experience under her belt, lightening the pressure from graduating key starters. Stinson, a fellow all-conference first-teamer, will also take the reins on offense alongside fellow senior leaders Sophie Castillo and Samantha Nemirov.

The Case Against Colorado

The Buffs were crowned the first-ever Pac-12 regular season champions, but couldn’t finish the year on top, allowing Stanford to dominate them for a six-goal tournament title victory. Entering 2019, Colorado loses two key do-it-all players in attacker Darby Kiernan, who led in goals, assists, points and draw controls, as well as Pac-12 defender of the year Sarah Brown, who topped the charts in ground balls and caused turnovers. Its biggest hole is the draw, as their top three specialists – Kiernan, Brown and Kelsie Garrison – all graduated. No one came close to their marks in the midfield, leaving big holes in the stat sheet to fill this spring. 

Path to the Playoffs

Colorado is not shying away from a challenge. Its road to championship weekend starts off before the season officially starts, scrimmaging Northwestern on the road Feb. 1. Given the Buffs’ youth, “to play a team with that caliber before we kick off the season is really exciting for us,” Elliott Whidden said. They then open their home slate against Florida. "It's the team we played twice last year and it’s the team that ended our season.” Colorado lost to both the Gators and Wildcats in back-to-back weeks last February, before Florida knocked them out of the NCAA second round in May. Non-conference play, which also features Virginia Tech and Stony Brook to round out their first four games this February, will be critical for the Buffs’ success. 

Players To Watch

Julia Lisella, G, Jr.

50.3 SV%, 33 GB

Lisella ranked seventh nationally in Division I for goals-against average (9.34), as well as 10th in save percentage. With Colorado graduating many, Lisella will hold a key stake in leading the Buffs back to the top of the Pac-12 after falling short of the inaugural tournament title. 

Charlie Rudy, A, Fr.

147 goals as high school senior

Rudy has garnered national recognition as a Novato High School (Calif.) offensive standout. She was an Under Armour All-American as a senior and the US Lacrosse Magazine West Coast Player of the Year as a junior. With her scoring abilities, she will likely be firing shots left and right for the Buffs. 

Miranda Stinson, M, Sr.

58 G, 77 PTs

Stinson finished second behind Darby Kierney in goals, assists and points and also was third behind Sarah Brown and Kelsie Garrison in caused turnovers and ground balls. She sat fifth in Division I in shots per game (8.15) in 2018 and will likely have a key leadership role in improving the team’s overall shot percentage. 

National Rankings

Power Ratings (Scale of 1-5)

Offense
⭐⭐⭐

Defense
⭐⭐⭐

Goalkeeping
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Draw
⭐⭐

17.14

Colorado’s shooting percentage from its 15-6 loss to Stanford in the Pac-12 tournament championship on April 29 shed light on one of its biggest weaknesses and areas of improvement for 2019. The Buffs took 35 shots. “One game, we shot 17%. I don’t think you can win shooting 17%. … It’s just not going to happen when you play a good team when you’re taking 100 shots, which is crazy. We sometimes take a lot of shots. We know we have to do a better job at the shots we’re taking and then finishing.”

5-Year Trend
Draw Controls

Coach Confidential
Ann Elliott Whidden

“We’ve been short the past few years, whether that’s the MPSF or Pac-12. That’s a huge focus for our team – the ability to compete throughout a whole weekend. Can you compete on Friday and Sunday and be your best on Sunday?”

Enemy Lines

"Well-coached. Confidence brewing after conference wins."

"Fast and aggressive team. Plays hard all the time."

"Colorado has been getting better and better each year. They graduated many, but still have some key players back. Their goalie is pretty solid."