Colorado Sweeps Big 12 Weekly Honors After Statement Win Over No. 2 Northwestern
Colorado women’s lacrosse couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2026 season - and the Big 12 took notice. After a gritty 10-9 upset win over No. 2 Northwestern, the Buffaloes swept the conference’s weekly awards, with Maddie Shoup (Attack), Jess Peluso (Defense), and Elena Oh (Goalkeeper) all earning top honors.
Let’s break down how each of these standouts earned their spotlight - and why this trio might just be the heartbeat of a dangerous Colorado team this season.
Maddie Shoup: The Closer
When you’re facing the No. 2 team in the country, you need a scorer who doesn’t flinch under pressure. Enter Maddie Shoup. The senior attacker from Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, delivered a clinic in offensive efficiency, burying five of her six shots - good for half of Colorado’s total offense in the one-goal win.
And it wasn’t just the volume - it was the when. Four of Shoup’s five goals came in the second half, including the game-winner with 4:25 left on the clock.
That kind of clutch play is why she now owns 18 career multi-goal games and a 12-game scoring streak that shows no signs of slowing down. Monday’s performance also marked her eighth career hat trick - but this one might be the most memorable yet.
Jess Peluso: The Defensive Anchor
While Shoup was lighting it up on one end, Jess Peluso was putting in the dirty work on the other.
The senior defender from East Islip, New York - and the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year - played a key role in holding Northwestern’s high-powered offense to just nine goals. Peluso forced two turnovers and came up with a critical block late in the fourth quarter, helping to preserve the narrow lead. She also contributed a ground ball and a draw control, showing her all-around impact on the defensive end.
Peluso’s presence was steady, physical, and exactly what you’d expect from a veteran leader who’s now earned her fourth Big 12 weekly honor.
Elena Oh: Ice in Her Veins
And then there’s Elena Oh - who might’ve stolen the show in the final minutes.
The sophomore goalie from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was a wall in the second half, making six of her eight total saves after halftime. Five of those came in the fourth quarter alone, including three in the final three minutes. But none were bigger than the stop she made on Northwestern’s Gabriella McCollester with just 10 seconds left on the clock - a game-saving moment that sealed the win.
Oh didn’t just make the stop; she secured the ball and ran out the final seconds, closing the door on one of the biggest wins in recent program history. This marks her fifth Big 12 weekly honor - and it’s easy to see why.
What’s Next
With momentum on their side and three of their top players already making waves, the Buffaloes are heading home to Kittredge Field for their home opener on Sunday, Feb. 15 at noon MT.
If week one was any indication, this Colorado squad isn’t just here to compete - they’re here to make noise.
Tickets for the upcoming games, including single-game and season packages, are available now at CUBuffs.com/WlaxTix.