Slow starts and unforced errors have cost the Durango High School girls lacrosse team this season.
That was the case again Friday as the DHS Demons (0-5, 0-2 Mountain League) lost 13-7 on the road at Fruita Monument (6-0, 5-0 ML).
“We didn’t play well in the first half. We gave the ball away a lot,” DHS head coach Jenni Darlow said. “We worked really hard on defense and then would give the ball right back. The first half, Fruita was head and shoulders above DHS.”
The Demons lost the first game of the season 13-8 against Fruita Monument. Darlow was unable to attend that game but said Fruita Monument had a shuffled lineup in the first game compared to what it brought Friday.
DHS managed only four shots in the first half and trailed 8-3 at halftime.
“We only lost the second half 5-4. It was a much better game if you just look at that half,” Darlow said. “We deserved the 8-3 deficit at half, but we battled back and played better.”
DHS seniors Jessie Sutherlin and Alyssa Swan each scored two goals in the game. Chloe Bourdon, Tymbree Hawkins and Payton Randle all scored one goal, and Hawkins added two assists.
“We didn’t shoot the ball that much, and we didn’t have possession for very much of the game,” Darlow said.
DHS junior Megan Pope made 14 saves for DHS after seeing more than 30 shots in goal.
Darlow wants to see the Demons get out to a better start at 11 a.m. Saturday at Longs Park in Grand Junction.
“We want to start the way we played in the second half, the way we know we are capable of playing,” Darlow said. “We want to play smart lacrosse and think about what we are going to do, think a few steps and save some energy. We are a little shorthanded this weekend because of the start of spring break, so we need to play smarter.”
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
