Colorado Lacrosse Opens 2026 Season with Major Test at No. 2 Northwestern
The wait is over-Colorado lacrosse is back, and the Buffs aren’t easing into the new season. They’re jumping straight into the fire with a season opener against No.
2 Northwestern on Monday night inside Ryan Fieldhouse in Evanston, Illinois (6 p.m. MT, streaming on B1G+).
It’s a bold start, but that’s nothing new for Colorado. This will be the sixth time the Buffs have opened their season against a ranked opponent, and Northwestern-coming in hot off a 20-12 win over No. 3 Boston College-is the highest-ranked team CU has ever faced to kick off a campaign.
A Program Built on Consistency
This marks the 13th season for Colorado lacrosse, and head coach Ann Elliott Whidden continues to be the steady hand guiding the program she built from the ground up. Under her leadership, the Buffs have compiled a 130-75 record, good for a .634 winning percentage. But they’ve got their eyes on a bigger prize in 2026: a return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.
Last season, Colorado finished 8-8 overall and went 4-1 in Big 12 play-good enough for second in the conference. That momentum, along with a strong returning core and a promising freshman class, has the Buffs entering the year picked third in the Big 12 Preseason Coaches' Poll, trailing only Florida and Arizona State.
Northwestern: A National Powerhouse
If Colorado wants to make a statement out of the gate, there may be no better opportunity than this. Northwestern is not just one of the top teams in the country-they’ve been the gold standard. The Wildcats have reached three straight national championship games and were runners-up last season, falling to North Carolina in the title game.
They’ve already flexed their muscle in 2026, opening their season with a dominant win over a top-three Boston College squad. Leading the charge is Madison Taylor, the NCAA’s active points leader, and a player who can take over a game in an instant. Slowing her down will be priority No. 1 for CU’s defense.
Five Things to Know Heading Into Monday
1. Tough Openers Are Nothing New
This is familiar territory for the Buffs. Monday will be their sixth time opening the season against a ranked opponent, and they’re 1-4 in those games.
Last season, Colorado started with five straight matchups against ranked teams, so this group knows what it’s like to be thrown into the deep end early.
2. A Balanced History in Openers
Colorado is 6-6 all-time in season openers. Their last opening-day win came in 2024, a 16-15 thriller over Louisville.
Starting strong has been a mixed bag historically, but this year’s veteran leadership could tilt the scales.
3. Preseason Honors Pile Up
The Buffs had four players named to the Preseason All-Big 12 team: Jess Peluso, Elena Oh, Maddie Shoup, and Lily Assini. That’s a group with both experience and impact.
Peluso was named Co-Preseason Defender of the Year, while Oh earned the nod as the conference’s Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year. That’s a strong spine to build a team around.
4. Fresh Faces, Familiar Ambition
Colorado brings in nine true freshmen this season, tying their highest number since 2024. It’s a geographically diverse group, with players from New York to Oregon to California.
Names to watch include Haylie Abrams, Parker Lemm, and twins Sophia and Charlotte Yeskulsky from San Clemente, Calif. This class adds depth and energy to a roster that already has proven talent.
5. Firepower Returns
CU scored 178 goals last season-10th-most in program history-and they’re bringing back a big chunk of that production. Three of the team’s top four scorers are back: Maddie Shoup, Lily Assini, and Teagan Ryan.
In total, 57.3% of last year’s goals (102 of them) return, giving the Buffs a strong offensive foundation.
Colorado’s 2026 journey begins with one of the toughest tests in the country. But this group has the pieces-veteran leadership, preseason recognition, and a hunger to return to the national stage. If they can hold their own against a powerhouse like Northwestern, it’ll send a message that the Buffs are ready to contend again.
Tickets for the season are available now at CUBuffs.com/WlaxTix.