CU will host first Big 12 tourney

COLLEGE LACROSSE

Buffs’ 2025 schedule released this week

The Big 12 Conference is launching its inaugural season of women’s lacrosse, and that first campaign will culminate in Boulder.

On Wednesday, the league announced the schedule for its 2025 season, featuring Colorado as the host school of the first Big 12 women’s lacrosse championship tournament.

The Big 12 tournament will begin with the semifinals on May 1 at Prentup Field, with the championship match to follow on May 3.

While the Buffs are moving conferences, they will open their 12th season of varsity lacrosse against a pair of familiar foes, visiting Stanford for the opener on Feb. 13 before taking on another former Pac-12 rival, USC, in a showcase in Berkeley, Calif., on Feb. 16.

A tough opening run continues with another road date at national power Northwestern before CU hosts Army in the home opener on Feb. 28. The Buffs also have nonconference home dates against Michigan (March 8), Marquette (March 11), Iona (March 15), Stony Brook (March 20) and Denver (April 17).

The new Big 12 women’s lacrosse conference features CU, Arizona State and Cincinnati plus affiliate members Florida, San Diego State and UC Davis. CU opens league play on the road against San Diego State (March 29) and Arizona State (April 6) before hosting its first Big 12 game on April 12 against Florida.

The Buffs will play each conference foe just once, with the league’s top four teams qualifying for the conference tournament at Prentup. The tournament winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

For the first time, CU lacrosse will play all of its home games at Prentup Field instead of Kittredge Field.

“Hosting the inaugural Big 12 Championships is such a great opportunity,” CU coach Ann Elliott Whidden said in a release. “Our administrators have been great supporters of lacrosse and advocating for the Big 12 to add lacrosse. It’s an honor to host this first championship, and we will look to make it special for all the student athletes involved.

“We have some great teams coming to Boulder this spring which is really exciting. While Kittredge Field has been our main home for the past 12 years, we are excited to have opportunity to play some games at Prentup this season. It allows us flexibility in game time and gives our fans the best experience with the new concession and restroom facilities, more parking and a family friendly environment.”