The Durango High School girls lacrosse team can go into the offseason with confidence after a learning year.
After inheriting a third new head coach in as many seasons, the young Demons showed progress all year and finished the season with a weekend sweep of Telluride after Saturday’s 14-3 home win.
The Demons finished the season 4-7 overall.
“We had great progression,” head coach Jeff Einfalt said. “When I first took over, they played lacrosse old-school style. Throughout the season, we worked on a lot of different tactics that were foreign to them. They’ve grabbed hold of those. The way we played the last two games of the season looked nothing like the team I took over.”
Einfalt said he saw better off-ball movement and a team looking to transition faster while looking to pass to the open girl.
Shilo Gillen scored four goals Saturday, while Hannah Looman scored three. Shaelee Hawkins scored two goals and have five assists.
After winning big Friday despite not using a goaltender, the Demons placed Grace Weaver in goal Saturday. She made three saves.
DHS will lose Kim Crawford, Gillen, Hawkins, Hannah Looman, Jessica Looman, Megan Robinson and Kaniesha Valley from this year’s squad, but Einfalt is excited about the youth returning as well as eight or nine incoming freshmen.
“Next year will be a building year again, but it will be good,” Einfalt said.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
