After losing a pair of close games to begin its 4A Mountain West league season last week, the Durango High School girls lacrosse team responded with a commanding 14-2 victory over Montrose on Friday.
“After starting our league season off by coming up short in two close games it was great to come back in a dominant fashion,” said DHS head coach Eric Elliott. “We changed up our practice style this week and turned it into more of a challenge set up. Earn your position and earn your time. The girls really responded well with some of the kids earning some of their first game opportunities at the varsity level this season and they all played really well.”
DHS only needed 13 seconds to score its first goal against the Red Hawks. Victoria Barletta won the opening draw and Annabel Carithers finished the play with a goal to give DHS an early 1-0 lead.
The Demons missed a few god opportunities in front of the net after that, but still took a 6-1 lead into halftime.
To start the second half, DHS scored twice in the first 30 seconds and never looked back.
Carithers finished with three goals, one assist, six ground balls and four caused turnovers to help lead DHS.
Barletta scored twice, assisted one and won five draw controls.
Jordan Meininger had one goal, four caused turnovers and three draw controls.
Emmylou Willis scored three goals and caused a turnover.
Silvie Bosmans and Taylor Babcock both scored twice while Kyana Newcomer-Ball scored one and Dillon Aspen assisted one goal.
“Our midfielders Jordan, Vikki and Annabel really made it difficult for Montrose in transition,” Elliott said. “It seemed like every time you looked Jordan was coming up with the ball. When Montrose did make it on our side of the field they were met by our two senior captains, defenders Jaden (Rambo) and Livie (Olivia Rome) along with Kai and Lecy (Eliciana Martinez) who made it tough to get a shot off.”
Goalie Fiona Chandler only saw six shots in the game and saved four of them.
Next, DHS (3-5 overall, 1-2 4A Mountain West) will host Grand Junction (4-5, 2-2) at 4 p.m. on Thursday. Grand Junction won the first meeting 10-8.
