Thirteen seniors set out with 11 on their mind.
The Durango High School boys lacrosse team made program history Wednesday night. With a 20-3 home win against Montrose, the Demons improve to 11-3 overall and 6-3 in the Mountain League. Those 11 wins are now the most in team history, beating the previous mark of 10-5 achieved in the 2014 season, when this year’s seniors were developing sophomores.
“I can’t say enough about this team,” DHS head coach John Robinette said. “We have a chance to make it 12 wins with Aspen on Saturday. We’ve never beat them, and we were so close earlier this year. We’re gonna have our two best practices of the year, be happy and enjoy these moments while we’re all still out here together.”
Milestones fell in bunches Wednesday. Kyle Robinette, one of the seniors, scored his 100th point of the season with his third goal of the game late in the first quarter. He finished with five goals and five assists and now has 103 points this season.
“It means a lot,” he said. “I made it my goal to do that, and I’m glad I was able to hit it.
“I consider all of the seniors my brothers. I’ve been playing with them since middle school, and I’m going to miss them.”
Senior captain Easton Verduzco scored his first career varsity goal. The top face-off winner in the Mountain League won another 16-of-17 faceoffs Wednesday and added his one goal in the fourth quarter.
Verduzco took time to reflect after Wednesday’s win about the monumental growth of lacrosse in Durango since he first began playing.
“To be part of a building program and be part of a playoff team every year I’ve been part of the Durango High team, it’s special,” he said. “Now, there are so many more youth out here in Durango playing lacrosse. Last year, I was refereeing youth games. They didn’t have that when we were little. We didn’t have lacrosse until I was in middle school. Now, they have elementary teams. It’s really come a long way.”
Senior TJ Rifkin continued his strong senior season with six goals and three assists Wednesday. He scored four goals in a clinical first quarter that saw the Demons take an 8-0 lead on Montrose (0-12, 0-9 ML)
“That first quarter was monumental,” Rifkin said. “We were a well-oiled machine, and it didn’t feel like anything could stop us. We came through with the best season we’ve ever had.”
DHS junior Tommy Rodgers had another six goals and three assists. Jackson and JJ Steigelman both returned to the team Wednesday. The seniors each had a broken wrist and sat out a good portion of the season, but nothing could stop them from celebrating senior day along with Jeb Steigelman. Jackson had one goal and one assist, and JJ also added a goal.
“It’s an opportunity I’ll never get to have again,” Jackson Steigelman said of playing alongside his brothers.
“This whole team is like having a second family. They’ve been my brothers since we were freshmen. It was hard not playing because of this wrist, but I came back this week amped up.”
Defensive seniors Conner and Dillon Coleman along with Connor Collins didn’t allow much room for the Montrose attack, and senior goalie Eli Cagan made five saves.
It all built up momentum for a huge game Saturday against Mountain League leader Aspen (10-3, 8-0 ML). That match is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Smith Sports Complex at Fort Lewis College. A league champions track and field meet will be held at DHS the same day, forcing the relocation of the lacrosse team for the one game.
“We definitely have some business to take care of,” Jackson Steigelman said. “Last time, we lost to them by one with four seconds to go. I know we’re all ready to come out and get them this time.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
