— University of Colorado student-athlete, a senior attacker on the women's lacrosse team, died Saturday (January 13) after her Subaru Forester crashed into a tree on Colorado Highway 119 west of Boulder. She was 21.A three-year letterwinner, the Northport, N.Y. native helped to build the Buffs' program into a nationally recognized team."On behalf of all of us in the CU Athletic Department we are heartbroken at the loss of Julia," CU Athletic Directorsaid. "Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the Sarcona family, Julia's friends and teammates. This is a very difficult loss for the Buff family and we are extremely saddened. Please keep Julia's family in your thoughts and prayers.""The loss ofis heartbreaking for our team and lacrosse family," head coachsaid. "Our thoughts and all our love is with her family as I cannot even imagine what they are going through. Her family has become our family over the years and we will look to support them in every way we can."Julia had an incredible heart, she was funny and caring, she could always make you laugh and smile, she was an integral part of this program and has impacted each of our lives in so many ways. There really aren't words and there is no answer for how one deals with such a loss. As a team, we will go one step at a time as we try to find our way together and make sure everyone has all the resources and support they need. Again, our love and thoughts go out to Julia's family. Her impact on our program and lives will never be forgotten."The Interim Dean of Students,, issued the following statement on behalf of the entire CU community:"We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of University of Colorado Boulder student. Julia was a senior and a student in the College of Media, Communications and Information. She also was a talented lacrosse player. We have been in touch with Julia's family, and we will continue to outreach to those affected to offer campus support resources."Sarcona saw the most playing time her freshman season, playing in six games in 2015. She made her collegiate debut against rival Denver, and in a 19-0 win over Presbyterian, she recorded her first point for CU with an assist. As a sophomore in 2016, she played in three games and scored two goals on as many shots. She scored on a free-position shot in her first appearance of the season, a 15-3 win over Central Connecticut, and netted her other goal in a 23-0 win against St. Mary's. Last season, CU's first as an NCAA tournament qualifier, Sarcona played in a pair of games, recording an assist and one groundball against Stetson and saw action against St. Mary's.She was on track to graduate this spring with a degree in public relations; she was planning to intern a second time in CU's Sports Information Office this spring after working in the department last summer. Sarcona was also a camp counselor for the CU Lacrosse camp and helped with instruction and coaching for community youth clinics the team hosted for City Lax Denver and the Field Day for Boulder Valley Youth Lacrosse. In addition, she helped with CU's annual food drive in 2014, took part in the CU Lacrosse Halloween Party at the Children's Hospital Colorado (2015) and was part of various dinners and team activities with Levi, the young boy the team adopted in 2016.Julia Francesca Sarcona was born in Huntington, N.Y. on June 30, 1996. She is survived by her parents, Joseph and Alessandra, as well as a brother, Matthew, and a sister, Nina.