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Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Springs High School girls lacrosse coach Jenn Kirkpatrick couldn't hide her enthusiasm. It was another loss for her team, but Friday's 13-10 setback against Overland was a thrilling game filled with positives for the Sailors.

"It was awesome. We lost, but they were awesome," Kirkpatrick said of her team. "The girls are really disappointed to lose a close game, but as far as frustrations with the team go, I don't have any."

Steamboat came out on the wrong end of the back-and-forth affair despite one of its best offensive days of the season.

Hannah Poland led the team with four goals, while Janie Townes added three. Kristen Elliott scored twice, and Mollie Wunder added one.

It was more than just the goals, Kirkpatrick said. The team played as well as it has all season in generating a tough defense, going for ground balls, passing and receiving the ball and transitioning those opportunities into offense.

"It was everything we've been working on," she said. "They put it all together and ran their hearts out. We had no bench - just one sub - but we made every pass, every catch and got the ground balls."

The teams traded goals and the lead early, but Steamboat trailed by four at the half. It rallied to cut the gap in the second and came close to making things even more interesting. Two separate goals were called back when players ran through the goalie's crease after the ball was already in the back of the net.

The improved play was a part of a team effort, Kirkpatrick said.

"It's the first time that, as a team, we've connected," she said. "It wasn't just individuals playing on a field. We played as a team unit from offense to defense. The girls realized how great it feels when you play together."

Steamboat hopes to capitalize on the game in its next contest, at 5:45 p.m. Monday when it welcomes Rifle. Close was nice, Kirkpatrick said. Now, she's hoping it can help the team come away with a win.

"It was hugely heartbreaking not to win. They felt so close," she said. "Now we need to build on it. We need to use that and learn how to continue to lay as a team and keep improving."