The Fort Lewis College women’s basketball team forfeited its game scheduled last Sunday against South Dakota Mines after it was placed in COVID-19 seven-day quarantine late Saturday night.
It was the second time this season the FLC women have had to cancel the game against the Hardrockers. The first, scheduled as the season opener for Dec. 5, was postponed and rescheduled for Sunday because of a positive COVID-19 case within the Skyhawks’ team.
As of 11 a.m. Saturday, FLC head coach Orlando Griego believed his team had cleared all COVID-19 testing and was set to play the following day.
At 10 p.m. Saturday, the athletic department announced the game was canceled and that FLC (1-4, 1-4 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) would take a forfeit loss instead of the game simply being canceled like many other games across the conference this year.
“We found out really late that we were exposed to a person that was positive,” Griego said. “We’re going to err on the side of caution. It’s safety first for our team. We had to shut it down, and I am 100% OK with that. We’d rather be safe than sorry.”
Griego said he did not know exactly why the game went down as a forfeit rather than a cancellation with no win or loss attached to the game.
“I think the biggest thing is that we could have done a better job putting ourselves out of risk, but regardless of where you go right now, you’re putting yourself at risk,” Griego said. “For us, we have to do a better job of making sure we’re following the policies of public health guidelines. We could have done a better job, and it’s a learning lesson.”
It is not yet known if FLC will be cleared in time to host Colorado Christian and Metro State this Friday and Sunday. As of Monday night, FLC announced those games were on as scheduled. However, all games this year are subject to change pending COVID-19 testing results the day before each game.
“If we come up with a positive test, then we will have to take a different plan of action,” Griego said. “If everyone tests negative and we are able to move forward, we will play a couple of basketball games.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
