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Steamboat Springs — Lacrosse just ended up being the cherry on top of Rachel Ivancie's college decision.

Ivancie, a 2008 Steamboat Springs High School graduate, had found her perfect college destination in the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash.

It had everything she wanted. The ocean, the mountains and an undergrad number of 2,000.

"It felt like a good match," Ivancie said. "It had a Colorado feel to it."

But when she saw that it also had a varsity girls lacrosse program, Ivancie, a four-year player at Steamboat, figured she'd give it a try.

Initially, she was nervous. Most of the incoming freshmen already had a workout plan in place before attending the first organized activity.

But like she had in Steamboat, Ivancie found lacrosse brings people together.

"I got to know the girls, and that's when I knew it was right for me," she said. "The people were great, and it's awesome to be a part of this."

It also helps that Ivancie's stick skills, which led her to be a captain her senior year of high school, transferred over pretty well to Puget Sound.

Ivancie played defense for the Loggers in the spring, playing in 11 of 12 games, including seven starts.

Puget Sound went, 10-2, on the year and just missed out on a bid to play in the Division III National Championships.

"She's just passionate about things she commits to," Jenn Kirkpatrick, Ivancie's high school coach, said. "She loves the sport for lots of reason. I definitely see her pursuing it. Down the line she would make a great coach."

This year, Ivancie said the schedule will be much tougher - a must to get consideration for the national championships - and include trips to the East Coast and Chicago for games.

Ivancie said the level of play wasn't the biggest difference she found from going from high school to college lacrosse. She said at Puget Sound the players already knew what they were doing.

"You fit in, and you find your place," she said. "It's awesome. I get to play my one position, and everyone does their part."

Although Ivancie said she anticipates playing for the rest of her college career, she said balancing the workload can be tough. Still, she said she's glad she found a place where the opportunity of girls lacrosse presented itself. While her focus is on her studies and biology in particular, lacrosse, she said, always will have a spot with her.

"I just noticed people are genuine in lacrosse," she said. "I've gotten to know the best people through lacrosse."