A player on the University of Colorado women's lacrosse team died in auto accident over the weekend.

The school said Monday that 21-year-old senior Julia Sarcona was driving a vehicle that crashed into a tree on a highway south of Boulder.

Coach Ann Elliott described Sarcona as someone with an "incredible heart" who was "always funny and caring" and "could always make you laugh and smile."

The coach added: "She was an integral part of this program and has impacted each of our lives in so many ways."

Sarcona was born in Northport, New York, on Long Island. She was a three-year letter winner in lacrosse and was to graduate this spring with a degree in public relations.