Steamboat Pilot & Today

The members of the Steamboat Springs High School girls lacrosse team will be looking for their first win of the season this Saturday when the squad hosts its first home games in Steamboat -- ever.

"We can't wait to have that home field energy," Sailors coach Leslie McCargar said. "Hopefully we will get to play on the football field."

The Sailors lost a pair of games last weekend to Wheat Ridge and Columbine. But McCargar said the players' enthusiasm is high for this Saturday's games against Dakota Ridge and Boulder.

"We are still having some problems with our transition game... and you can't do that against aggressive teams, "McCargar said.

Wheat Ridge hammered the Sailors 10-2 on April 7 in Denver. Natalie MacFarland scored both Steamboat goals and Katie Darst had an assist.

"I think we were a little tired in the first game," Steamboat's Casey Wheeler said. "And I think the team we played is ranked No.1 in our division in the state."

Wheat Ridge jumped on the Sailors early and built a 8-1 lead by the end of the first half. Steamboat held the Wheat Ridge team to two second half goals, but could never get the offense on track.

On April 8, Steamboat battled with Columbine in a see-saw contest. But two goals by the Rebels late in the second half gave Columbine a 12-10 win.

MacFarland had five goals in the game. Lauren Baumann netted three goals and Tracy Norman and Darst each had one goal and an assist. Lindsey Mosher and Mehana Campbell both had assists in the game.

"We played hard and we should have won," Wheeler said.

McCargar said top defense by Elise Osterholt, Emily Howard and Campbell kept the Sailors in the game until the end. First-year goalkeeper Deirdra Kiely also did an outstanding job of keeping the game close throughout.

This weekend Steamboat will host Dakota Ridge at 11 a.m. and Boulder at 2 p.m.

I'm so excited (about getting to play at home this week)," Wheeler said. "It's a chance to show the rest of the community what lacrosse is all about."

Wheeler is a senior who has played with the lacrosse team for the last four years. This will be her first home game.

Both games will be at home and are expected to be played on the high school football field. If the weather doesn't cooperate or the field isn't dry enough, however, the games may have to be moved to Colorado Mountain College or Hayden.