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Steamboat Springs girls lacrosse coach Jenn Kirkpatrick had said Saturday's matchup against Green Mountain - the Sailors' final game of the season - would be, "ours to win," based on the team's progress Friday against a fast Denver East squad.

Green Mountain (7-1 and ranked No. 7 in the state) came into Steamboat as a higher-ranked opponent than East, and Steamboat matched it with a higher level of play, including solid goaltending and some of its best offensive production of the season.

But down, 9-7, with 15 minutes to go, Steamboat ran out of steam.

Green Mountain scored six goals in seven minutes to secure a 16-7 win.

"The girls did a great job, but we just lost a bit of fire somehow," Kirkpatrick said.

Steamboat had a long opening possession on offense, but Green Mountain capitalized on its few chances in the Steamboat zone, with the Green Mountain attack open in front of the goal for a string of three easy assisted goals.

Seven minutes into the game, Rachel Ivancie drove hard from behind and swung in a slick backhand goal to put the Sailors on the board. Then Janie Townes beat her defender inside, 20 seconds later, to cut the Green Mountain lead to one.

After a couple miscues on defense, Steamboat's Kelsey Pal charged from midfield straight to the Green Mountain goal to bring the score to 5-3. In the closing minutes of the first half, Townes and Mollie Wunder both scored on free position shots and then Wunder scored again to send Steamboat into the second half down, 8-6.

"Everyone gave it their all, and it was one of the closest games we've played," Wunder said.

But the Sailors, who outshot the Rams, 18-16, in the first half, couldn't keep it as close in the second.

After Laura's Riley's lone goal for Steamboat - one that had her clearing the ball the length of the field before face-dodging the final defender to score - Green Mountain turned on its offense. Theresa Clark led all scorers with five goals.

Kirkpatrick said she gave the game ball to senior goalkeeper Courtney Adamo, who played, "the best game of her life" and tied her season-high 16 saves.

Kirkpatrick was pleased with the game, considering she was missing 15 players for spring break, and gauged the season (3-11) as a success based on the team's tight-knit growth together - obvious by the tears in the eyes of her senior players - and overall personal skill improvement.

- To reach Dave Shively, call 871-4253

or e-mail dshively@steamboatpilot.com