Easton Verduzco called a meeting between captains and coaches for Saturday morning after the team’s tough 13-10 loss to Fruita Monument on Friday night. Head coach John Robinette opened up the meeting to all seniors. Together, they set out to improve in three areas. They did that Saturday.
The Durango High School boys lacrosse team has played a strong season, but being swept by Fruita Monument wasn’t what the Demons’ leaders had in mind. After regrouping Saturday morning, the team came out and played a united game in 10-7 home win against Grand Junction.
The Demons (9-3, 4-3 Mountain League) led 9-4 late in the third quarter but saw that advantage cut to 9-6 with 10 minutes, 13 seconds to play. It was a tough final 10 minutes, but the teams played to a draw the rest of the way.
“A lot of our defenders have a lot of grit and strength,” said DHS goalie Eli Cagan. “The fourth quarter is always had in every sport. Everyone has been sprinting around for the full hour, and everyone is tired. We suffered a loss (Friday night). Everyone didn’t want to come back (Saturday) and suffer another. That’s where our determination came from.”
Cagan was brilliant in goal for the Demons. He made 16 saves Saturday, including a few big ones in the first and fourth quarters that continued to energize his defense. Cagan is traditionally the team’s backup goalie, and the team tries to rotate starter Dylan Gaver and Cagan. Lately, they’ve rode the hot hand, and it was Cagan’s on Saturday.
One of the big issues Verduzco raised during Saturday’s captains and coaches meeting was the use of the team’s bench earlier in the game. The Demons grew tired in the fourth quarter of Friday’s loss to Fruita in which the team surrendered a 10-8 lead in the 13-10 loss.
The coaches took that to heart Saturday. “It was huge for Easton,” head coach John Robinette said of his captain calling the meeting. “He really showed good leadership. We talked about three or four things. It started with coaches getting more personnel into the game earlier so the starters are not wore out in the fourth quarter. The other was talking to the midfielders about getting them more involved, and the other was communicating more on defense. We really improved in all those areas.”
The defense played fast and aggressive all game, and the midfield received a boost from Collin Barkley and Ryan Smith, who each had one goal in the game. Barkley also picked up six ground balls, many coming in critical moments.
Cullen Robinette led the DHS attack with four goals and two assists. His brother, Kyle Robinette, found him with an assist on three goals in a one-minute stretch in the second quarter to take a 5-0 lead.
“Great minds think alike,” Cullen Robinette said of the connection with his older brother. “We always know where each other are on the field. I was just trying to shoot my hardest and hope it goes in.”
Kyle Robinette finished with two goals and three assists. TJ Rifkin added a goal, and Tommy Rodgers had the first goal of the match. After ordering the important meeting, Verduzco won 17 of 19 faceoffs.
The Demons will look for their 10th win of the season at 4 p.m. Thursday at Telluride.
“They always plays us tough,” Coach Robinette said.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
