Colorado Wins First Big 12 Lacrosse Championship 8-6

A nearly three-hour weather delay couldn't dampen the Colorado Buffaloes' historic moment in Gainesville, Florida. The team won their first-ever Big 12 Tournament Championship Saturday, defeating top-seeded Florida 8-6 in a defensive masterclass.

Minutes before the scheduled start, lightning pushed the game back almost three hours. But when play finally began, the Buffs showed no signs of rust.

Tournament MVP Maddie Shoup led the charge with four goals, including the game winner. "Maddie is just a competitor," head coach Ann Elliott Whidden said. "She shows up every day and gives you her best effort."

The Buffs' defense, ranked number one nationally all season, made the difference. They held Florida to just six goals after the Gators had been averaging 16 per game. Defender Jess Peluso earned high praise from her teammate Shoup, who called her "the best defender in the country, hands down."

Colorado took control in the second quarter when Rowan Edson tied the game, then Teagan Ryan scored a free-position goal for the Buffs' first lead. Edson struck again, and Shoup added another goal with nine seconds left in the half, sending Colorado into halftime ahead 5-3.

The third quarter belonged entirely to Shoup. After Florida cut the lead to one, she scored twice more to push the advantage to 7-4 heading into the final period.

Florida fought back in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to two goals with just over three minutes remaining. But goalkeeper Elena Oh made three crucial saves down the stretch while her teammates controlled possession, running out the clock on a championship celebration years in the making.

Why This Inspires

This victory represents more than just a trophy for the Buffaloes. After starting the season with an exciting win at Northwestern, coach Whidden noticed her team dwelling on that early success instead of creating new memories. The championship proves they found their focus when it mattered most.

Five Buffs earned spots on the All-Tournament team: Shoup, Lily Assini, Rowan Edson, Elena Oh, and Jess Peluso. The honor reflects the balanced effort that carried Colorado through the tournament.

The win sends Colorado to their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2019. The team will gather Sunday evening to watch the selection show and learn their first-round opponent for the May 8 tournament opener.

For a program building something special, this championship marks a new chapter. "It's not like you get to play in May all the time," Whidden said. "For this special group to be together and enjoy those moments has really been our focus."