Annabel Carithers would find a goal for the Durango High School girls lacrosse team in the final second of Saturday’s home match. But it was one goal too few for DHS to extend the game.
Grand Junction (2-0, 1-0 4A Mountain West League) held on to secure a 12-11 win behind five goals from senior Maya DeGeorge. But it didn’t come without a serious push from the Demons (2-2, 2-2 MWL) late in the lightning-delayed match.
DHS trailed as much as 9-5 in the second half after it went down 5-4 at halftime. Behind stellar goalie play from Madeline “Goose” Kothe, the Demons chipped back as close as 11-10 after freshman Emmylou Willis scored her fourth goal of the game with 3 minutes, 45 seconds to play.
A key score for Grand Junction’s Rilee Powless would give the Tigers enough cushion to make it so the final goal from Carithers didn’t send the game to overtime.
“We played a lot of good defense, and it was really exciting seeing us transition and put pressure in the midfield and making the other team work from my point of view,” Kothe said.
Carithers finished with three goals for the Demons to add to the four from Willis on a good offensive day. Also with one goal each was Pearl Burbey, Sophia Kothe, Olivia Rome and Victoria Barletta. Barletta and Zoelle Frazer each had an assist.
“We were so happy to be playing at home with so much support,” Willis said. “We really kept our confidence and motivation up and played a hard game.”
But it wasn’t enough to keep up with DeGeorge and her five goals and one assist.
Goose Kothe made 14 saves in the match, including a brilliant stretch with three in a row in the fourth quarter. She let out a roar or a scream with each stop.
“Once I knew how to read her, I was able to block her shots more easily,” Kothe said of DeGeorge. “Everyone could probably hear me start screaming out there. I pride myself in being one of the loudest players on the field, and the more saves I get, the more excited and loud I get as I get pumped.”
Though the result was a loss for the Demons, they felt they made strong strides and will look to avenge an 8-4 loss earlier this season to Fruita Monument when the teams meet at noon Saturday at DHS.
“We feel great. Even though we lost, this game felt amazing,” Willis said.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
