Steamboat Pilot & Today

After nearly two weeks away from competition, the Steamboat Springs boys lacrosse team resumed play Friday in Grand Junction.

The Sailors are taking part in the annual Border Wars Tournament, pitting Colorado lacrosse teams against those from Utah.

On Friday, Steamboat lost to Cherokee Trail, 9-3, in the early game and dropped the afternoon game, 14-2, against Brighton, Utah. Cherokee Trail is a new high school in the Cherry Creek area.

"The first halves of both games, we were real tentative," Sailors coach Bob Hiester said. "We played much better in the second halves but had dug ourselves in a hole. Every time we get on grass, we do get better. We just don't see it that often."

The Sailors had a pair of scrimmages to get them ready for the tournament Thursday. Steamboat was supposed to play Santa Fe Prep (N.M.) on March 25 and Fountain Valley on March 26, but those games were canceled because of snow in Colorado Springs.

Friday, however, was a perfect day for lacrosse.

"This is a good tournament," Hiester said. "I think there are more teams this year than last."

In Friday's early loss to Cherokee Trail, Steamboat's Danny Carlson had two goals; Jake Flax had a goal and an assist, and Colin Butler had an assist.

Against Brighton, Jake Flax had two goals, and Carlson and Andy Flax had assists.

"The one positive thing is more of our goals are assisted, which means we're playing great team offense," Hiester said.

Steamboat goalie Yoshi Yonekawa made 17 saves against Cherokee Trail and 13 saves against Brighton.

"He's getting better and better," Hiester said. "It's a matter of him seeing different teams and different styles of shooting."

Steamboat plays Juan Diego, Utah, at 11:45 a.m. today in Grand Junction in the tournament finale.

Snow on fields will prevent Steamboat from making its season debut at home against Columbine on Monday. That game already has been rescheduled for April 26. The Sailors still are planning to host Englewood at 4:30 p.m., but a site has not been determined.