Colorado left no doubt which women’s lacrosse team ruled the Rockies, defeating Denver 14-3 in a showdown of two nationally ranked teams Friday in Boulder.

The 10th-ranked Buffaloes (5-0) scored two goals in the first three minutes and then went on a 10-goal run to dispatch the 14th-ranked Pioneers (5-1). Johnna Fusco led the way with five goals and two assists. Darby Kiernan added three goals and six draw controls in the win.

Colorado, in its fourth season as a varsity program, has not allowed more than seven goals since its season-opening 11-10 overtime victory over Northwestern.

Syracuse Holds Off Northwestern

No. 4 Syracuse shut out No. 11 Northwestern in the first half and then held on for a 5-3 victory Friday in a neutral site game at Hofstra. Senior attacker Devon Parker scored two goals for the Orange (6-0), who won despite Wildcats goalie Mallory Weisse’s career-high 13 saves. The Syracuse defense limited Northwestern (2-3) to just 11 shots on goal. Freshman goalie Asa Goldstock made nine saves.

PHOTO BY JOHN STROHSACKER

Tar Heels Give Levy Win No. 299

No. 2 North Carolina busted open a tie game at halftime and cruised to a 14-5 victory Friday over Albany at US Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Md.

The Great Danes (2-3), who nearly upset Syracuse earlier this week at the Carrier Dome, jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but could muster little else after the Tar Heels deployed a high-pressure defense. Carly Reed scored a game-high four goals, while Sydney Holman and Maggie Bill each added a goal and three assists.

North Carolina (4-1) will return to US Lacrosse on Sunday to play Canisius with a chance to make Jenny Levy just the third coach in NCAA Division I history to reach 300 career wins. The Griffins (3-3) have won two straight after an 11-9 victory at Delaware on Friday.

FRIDAY SCOREBOARD

No. 2 North Carolina 14, Albany 5
No. 4 Syracuse 5, No. 11 Northwestern 3
No. 10 Colorado 14, No. 14 Denver 3
No. 18 James Madison 21, Longwood 1
Canisius 11, Delaware 9
Oregon 18, Winthrop 5
Ohio State 17, Duquesne 5
Fresno State 18, Presbyterian 8
Virginia Commonwealth 19, Gardner-Webb 7
Michigan 14, Cal 4