For the just the second time in the program’s history, Durango High School’s girls lacrosse team is headed to the playoffs.
The DHS girls finished their regular season with a 7-6 overall records, helping the team earn the No. 19 seed for the upcoming Class 4A state tournament. DHS also made the playoffs in 2012, but fell to Ralston Valley in the first round to finish 10-3 overall.
DHS was scheduled to play at No. 14 Pueblo West in the first round Tuesday night as this paper was going to press.
The Demons enter the tournament battle-tested after playing a pair of playoff teams over the weekend – No. 9 seed Battle Mountain and No. 15 Roaring Fork – to finish its regular season.
DHS took on Battle Mountain Friday, but fell 12-5. Victoria Barletta scored two quick goals in the opening minutes, but Durango’s offense quieted down after that until the final five minutes.
DHS head coach Eric Elliott said the defense played strong all game to keep DHS within reach and the team’s freshmen have also stepped up in the past couple of weeks.
“Silvie (Bosmans), who has played excellent all season as a backup midfielder, scored a goal, and Kayana Newcomer-Ball … scored a first career goal with a beautiful move to shake her defender and fire a hard shot,” Elliott said. On the next possession, Newcomer-Ball saw an opportunity and found the back of the net for her second goal.
On Saturday, DHS fell 14-6 against Roaring Fork. “We wanted to come out strong today, but they beat us to the punch,” Elliott said. Annabel Carithers scored four goals in the game, the first a free position strike that cut Roaring Fork’s lead to 2-1.
Sophia Kothe grabbed her own rebound and found the back of the net while Barletta also scored once.
The team’s defense, meanwhile, kept them in the game Saturday as well.
“Nellie Miller once again played inspired defense and shut down numerous possessions,” Elliott said. “I can't say enough about our defense: They were our strength all season and a big reason why we should find ourselves in the playoffs this season.”
The Durango High School boys lacrosse team gave Grand Junction a good challenge on Friday, but ended up falling 11-10. The Demons trailed 9-6 entering the fourth quarter and outscored the Tigers 4-2 in the final frame but came up just short.
Henry Howe scored three goals and assisted three others for Durango. Jameson Connolly and Logan Gurule both scored twice while Sam Carozza assisted a pair of goals.
The Demons also fell Thursday to Telluride 12-5.
DHS finishes its season 1-12 overall.
