5 Shocking Takeaways From Colorado Women's Lacrosse's Explosive 2025 Big 12 Debut
The University of Colorado Women’s Lacrosse team, the CU Buffs, completed one of the most transformative seasons in program history in 2025, navigating a major conference realignment while proving their elite status on a national stage. As of December 22, 2025, the team has successfully transitioned from the Pac-12 to a brand-new landscape, securing a top seed in their new league and introducing a wave of young talent that promises long-term success. This deep dive uncovers the key players, the monumental conference shift, and the final results of a season that redefined the future of lacrosse in Boulder.
The 2025 campaign was defined by high-stakes matchups and the pressure of establishing a new identity. Finishing with an 8-8 overall record and a dominant 4-1 conference mark, the Buffs demonstrated resilience and competitive fire under Head Coach Ann Elliott Whidden, setting the stage for a new era of dominance in the Big 12 Conference. The ability to pivot so successfully during a time of major collegiate sports upheaval is a testament to the program's stability and the quality of its coaching staff.
CU Buffs Women's Lacrosse: 2025 Program Leaders and Coaching Staff
The 2025 season was a showcase for several seasoned veterans and emerging stars who cemented their places in the CU record books. The team’s success in the challenging schedule was a direct result of the consistency from its core leadership and the strategic direction of its coaching staff.
- Head Coach: Ann Elliott Whidden
- Associate Head Coach: Mitch Fenton
- 2025 Overall Record: 8-8 (.500)
- 2025 Conference Record: 4-1 (Big 12 Conference)
- Key Players/Scoring Leaders:
- Madeline Pisani: Led the team's offensive attack, registering 42 goals and 26 assists for a staggering 68 points. Her performance was vital in the Big 12 Conference matchups.
- Maddie Shoup: A consistent threat, Shoup contributed 30 goals and 13 assists, totaling 43 points. Her senior leadership was invaluable throughout the transition year.
- Jaimey Hill: A key defensive and midfield presence on the 2025 roster.
- Kendall Havill: Featured prominently on the 2025 roster, playing a crucial role in the midfield.
- Home Venue: Prentup Field, Boulder, Colorado
1. The Monumental Conference Shift: Welcome to the Big 12
The single most significant change for the Colorado Women's Lacrosse program in 2025 was their move to the newly formed Big 12 Women's Lacrosse conference. Following the dissolution of the Pac-12 as a major lacrosse league, the Buffs found a new, highly competitive home. This move was announced by Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark and instantly elevated the profile of the sport within the conference.
Colorado is not alone in this new venture. The league was established with a powerful group of affiliate members, ensuring instant competitiveness. CU’s new conference rivals include: Florida, Arizona State, UC Davis, San Diego State, and Cincinnati. This alignment immediately positioned the Big 12 as a formidable force in NCAA Division I women's lacrosse, replacing the Pac-12's footprint in the West and adding a major East Coast power in Florida.
The Buffs adapted quickly to the new conference schedule, finishing the regular season with a stellar 4-1 Big 12 record, second only to the Florida Gators. This performance demonstrated the team's ability to maintain high standards despite the administrative turbulence of conference realignment, a key indicator of the program's strength.
2. A Deep Run to the Big 12 Championship Semifinal
The Colorado Buffaloes earned the second seed in the inaugural Big 12 Women's Lacrosse Championship, a major achievement in their first year in the new league. The tournament run was a clear sign that the Buffs are ready to compete for championships in their new home. Their regular-season success, including wins over several new conference rivals, set up a thrilling postseason.
The Buffs' tournament journey culminated in a hard-fought battle against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Big 12 Semifinal. Playing at their home venue, Prentup Field, the Buffs fell short with a final score of 18-12 to the Sun Devils, who had finished the regular season with a 3-2 conference record. Despite the loss, reaching the semifinal in a brand-new, six-team conference immediately established Colorado as a perennial contender for the Big 12 title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in future seasons.
The experience gained in the high-pressure Big 12 Tournament environment is invaluable. It provides a blueprint for the team to build on, with the clear goal of hoisting the championship trophy next year and securing their first NCAA berth since the Pac-12 era.
3. The Scoring Powerhouse of Madeline Pisani
The 2025 season will be remembered for the offensive explosion led by star attacker Madeline Pisani. Her performance was a crucial element of the Buffs' success, especially in conference play. Pisani was an unstoppable force, demonstrating why she is considered one of the elite offensive threats in the West.
Pisani finished the 2025 season leading the team in all major scoring categories: goals, assists, and total points. She tallied 42 goals and added 26 assists, combining for a massive 68 points. Her ability to both finish opportunities and distribute the ball to her teammates made the CU offense unpredictable and highly effective. This level of production is exactly what the Buffs needed to secure the second seed in the Big 12 standings.
Alongside Pisani, fellow key player Maddie Shoup provided crucial secondary scoring, contributing 30 goals and 13 assists for 43 points. The combined firepower of this duo was a nightmare for opposing defenses and will be the foundation for the team’s continued success as they fully embrace the Big 12 schedule. This offensive consistency is a hallmark of the program under Head Coach Ann Elliott Whidden.
4. Ann Elliott Whidden's Legacy Continues to Grow
Head Coach Ann Elliott Whidden is the cornerstone of the Colorado Women's Lacrosse program. She was hired as the first varsity coach in 2012 and has been the driving force behind the program's rapid rise to national prominence. Her coaching record and ability to consistently recruit top talent are unmatched in the program’s short history.
Through the 2023 season, Coach Whidden had compiled an impressive record of 109-61, including three NCAA Tournament appearances. The 2025 season, with its 8-8 overall record and 4-1 Big 12 mark, further solidified her reputation. Navigating the treacherous waters of conference realignment while maintaining a winning record and securing a top-two conference finish is arguably one of her most impressive coaching feats.
Whidden's ability to integrate new talent is also evident. The program welcomed nine new players to the 2024-25 roster, including eight freshmen and one transfer player, ensuring a pipeline of young, dedicated athletes ready to contribute. This focus on long-term development is a key factor in the Buffs' sustained success and topical authority in the region.
5. The Future is Big: Recruiting and Big 12 Dominance
The successful 2025 transition into the Big 12 Conference has massive implications for the future of Colorado Women's Lacrosse. The team is no longer playing an affiliate schedule in a dissolving league; they are now part of a major, nationally recognized conference with a clear path to the NCAA Tournament through the Big 12 Championship.
This conference stability and the addition of high-profile rivals like Florida and Arizona State make the CU Buffs an even more attractive destination for top-tier lacrosse recruits. The program can now officially market itself as a Big 12 contender, which is a significant recruiting advantage over former Pac-12 rivals who may face uncertain conference futures.
With a core of proven scorers like Madeline Pisani and a talented influx of freshmen and transfer additions, the CU Buffs are poised to challenge for the Big 12 title in the immediate future. The 2025 season, ending with a Big 12 Semifinal appearance, was not a conclusion but a powerful opening chapter to what promises to be an era of Big 12 dominance for Colorado Women's Lacrosse.
The next steps for the program involve leveraging their new conference status to secure a higher national ranking and ultimately, a successful run in the NCAA Tournament. The groundwork has been laid, the talent is in place, and the competitive fire of the CU Buffs is burning brighter than ever.
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