Colorado sophomore goalkeeper Elena Oh is preparing for her second season with the Buffaloes after a notable first year. Originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Oh began playing lacrosse only three years before committing to head coach Ann Elliott Whidden at Colorado.
She stepped into the starting goalkeeper role three games into her freshman season and quickly became a key player for the team. “It was definitely surprising—that’s probably the word I’d use,” Oh said about her rapid ascent. “Having not played for that long, I think what really helped was the trust of my teammates and trusting myself. Knowing that my coaches believed in me and that my team believed in me gave me the confidence that I could go out there and make a difference.”
Oh credited this support system with helping her manage early nerves as she adjusted to collegiate play. She described her approach: “I felt like I had nothing to lose,” she recalled. “I just went out there to play my best and be as big as I could in the goal. That mindset was really motivating. I had nothing to prove, so I could just go out there and give it everything I had.”
Though new to organized lacrosse, Oh’s family background influenced her path—both her father and sister played lacrosse, with her father acting as an informal coach despite never having played goalie himself. “He learned everything he could and taught me what he knew,” Oh said. “We trained almost every day in our basement, just working on small tips and tricks to help me get better.”
Her efforts led to significant recognition during her freshman year; she earned four straight Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Week honors and was named to the Big 12 Newcomer Team. She finished with an 8-6 record across 14 starts, made 83 saves, and ranked 18th nationally with a conference-best goals-against average of 9.81.
“That definitely helped me feel seen,” Oh noted regarding last season’s awards. “I know I’m working hard and doing my best, but being recognized like that really boosted my confidence. It made me feel like I was truly making a difference for the team and the program.”
Oh acknowledged that being a goalkeeper comes with unique pressure: “I think it’s such a game-changing position,” she added. “One save—even if it’s the only one you make—can be the difference between a win and a loss. That pressure and excitement really drew me in. Plus, being able to lead from such a crucial part of the defense is something I really love.”
As Colorado begins its 2026 campaign on Monday against No. 2 Northwestern, Oh has been named Big 12 Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year while leading Colorado’s trio of goalkeepers.
“I want to continue building my confidence and belief in myself,” she expressed about entering this season under greater expectations. “With the increased attention and expectations, there’s definitely more pressure, but I want to keep having fun and trusting myself. I really believe in this team and this group.
“I do feel more of a leadership responsibility, but I also recognize that Caity [Brower] and Jillian [Kane] have been playing much longer than I have and have so much wisdom to share. We really see each other as equals. There isn’t much hierarchy.”
Looking ahead beyond college competition, Oh hopes for an international future—she previously represented Korea at the 2024 Women’s U20 Championship in Hong Kong—and has Olympic aspirations.
“Representing Korea would be really special to me because it helps me connect with my heritage, which I haven’t had many opportunities to do before. If that path leads to the Olympics, it would be incredibly empowering and meaningful,” Oh acknowledged.
For now, she remains focused on supporting Colorado through their upcoming schedule: “I truly believe in this team,” she voiced. “We’re special on and off the field, and I’m excited to show what we can do.”
Colorado opens its season against Northwestern on February 9th.
Tickets are available online through CUBuffs.com/WlaxTix.
Further details about Colorado Lacrosse can be found at cubuffs.com/wlax or by following @cubuffswlax on social media platforms.
