The Centennial State hosts the Sunshine State in NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championships action this week in Boulder as the University of Colorado and the University of Denver host the University of Florida and Jacksonville University.
With Colorado (14-3, Big XII) and Denver (15-3, Big East) winning conference championships this past weekend, the two schools were automatic qualifiers for the 29-team NCAA Championships that conclude May 22 and 24 at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Ill. READ MORE / BRACKET
The Boulder action begins with eighth-seeded Colorado meeting Jacksonville (13-5, Atlantic Sun champions) at 4 p.m. DU challenges Florida (15-3, Big XII runnerups) at 7 p.m., with both matches being streamed on ESPN+ and played at Prentup Field as CU hosts NCAA lacrosse matches for the first time. The winners of those matches meet on Sunday at 1 p.m., on ESPN+.
The CU-Jacksonville match is the second meeting this season, as the Buffs posted a 10-9 overtime win on the Dolphins’ home field on April 6. CU is 2-1 all-time against JU as the Buffs scored their first NCAA win ever against the Dolphins (23-18) on May 11, 2018, at Gainesville, Fla.
Colorado is making its fourth NCAA appearance (2-3 record) and first since the 2019 season, as the Buffs competed in the national tournament for the third straight season. In those seasons, Colorado captured first-round victories in 2018 and 2019. READ MORE
DU is winless in seven matches against Florida, including two NCAA tournament games in 2013 (16-5 on May 12) and 2014 (19-9 on May 11). The last time the two schools played each other was on May 5, 2018, in Gainesville, with the Gators posting an 18-6 win in the Big East championship match.
The Pioneers are making their eighth straight appearance in the NCAAs and 10th overall. With an 11-9 record in the national playoffs, DU reached the “final four” in 2023, where the Pioneers dropped a 15-7 semifinal match to Northwestern. READ MORE
NOTES – CU is coached by 2007 Northwestern graduate Ann Elliott Whidden. In her 13th season in Boulder, Elliott Whidden has a 144-78 record (64.9 percent). Liza Kelly, in her 20th season with the Pioneers, has posted a 281-90 record (75.7 percent) at DU.
