The Durango High School boys lacrosse team started out fast but finished slow against Fruita Monument on Friday afternoon.

The Demons couldn’t figure out how to get past the Wildcats, losing 16-8 on the road.

“The difference in the game was their goalie,” DHS head coach John Robinette said. “He was on fire. We were disguising our shots, but he was making a lot of great saves.”

Fruita’s Isaiah Repetti had 17 saves, keeping Durango (4-4, 1-2 Mountain League) confused all day.

Durango went up 3-2 at the end of the first quarter, then found itself down 5-3 at halftime. By the end of the third quarter, Fruita Monument (5-2, 4-1) was up 10-4.

“Defensively, we broke down and they were capitalizing on it,” Robinette said. “We need to put together a full four quarters. In the first, we came out on fire. In the second, we had some penalties. The third quarter was full of mental mistakes. We just have to put it together for four quarters. I’m proud of their effort, though.”

Kyle Robinette had four goals, five ground balls and was 5-for-6 in faceoffs. Cullen Robinette had one goal and two assists. Tommy Rodgers also had a goal and two assists.

Both Jackson Steigelman and Boyd Matheson had one goal each. Easton Verduzco was 13-for-18 in faceoffs. Andrew Brown had 11 saves at goalie.

“Fruita has always been a tough opponent,” coach Robinette said.

Durango will be on the road once more to take on Eagle Valley at 11 a.m. Saturday.

jmentzer@durangoherald.com