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Steamboat Springs — He can see it coming together.

Not in giant strides, but in slow improvements - the steady progress that is the byproduct of his team finally growing acclimated to a full-sized lacrosse field. Steamboat Springs High School boys lacrosse coach Bob Hiester said Saturday's 10-5 loss to Golden at Trailblazer Stadium in Lakewood was filled with mistakes.

He also said it was filled with promise.

"It was a good ballgame," Hiester said. "We were tied at 2 at the half, but we had a couple breakdowns, and they scored three in the third. : We played pretty well. I was pleased."

It was just the Sailors' second time playing on a real field this season, after spending the first weeks of practice cooped in the gymnasium, and it was an improvement on the team's season-opening 10-1 loss the day before.

Tyler Osterom led the Sailors, plugging in his first two goals of the season. Gus Worden added one, his second of the season. Kevin Bertrand and Bryce Peters also each scored once.

"Tyler had a nice ballgame," Hiester said. "Gus also played a nice game. He's really playing well."

Scot Forney, the team's goalie, also caught the coach's eye and finished with 19 saves. Having a dependable goalie has been an enormous help as the team has adjusted to the field, Hiester said.

"He's developed into a very fine goalie. He's had some really nice saves to pull us out of a jam," he said. "He's very active out of the goal, quick with his ability to get the ball down the field. : That's the backbone of the whole defense, getting the ball out our end."

Steamboat finally might be able to stretch its legs outdoors in practice this week, something Hiester said could be a big help going into a pair of games next weekend. The Sailors welcome Monarch at 4 p.m. Friday, then host Evergreen at 2 p.m. Saturday.

"To have a practice outside, not a game, where we can set up to work on specific situations will be a huge advantage," he said. "All we want now is steady improvement. Nothing happens overnight, but on the other hand, we'll see what we need to work on and be able to do it on a full field as opposed to in a gym."