Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — If Tuesday set the bar, the Steamboat Springs High School boys lacrosse team should have a lot to look forward to. 

Steamboat came close but couldn’t quite close the deal on the Front Range, falling, 10-9, to Rock Canyon in overtime Tuesday. 

The Sailors (1-1) held a 9-8 lead late in the fourth quarter before the Jaguars tied the game at 9 with 2 minutes, 51 seconds remaining. 

“We’re right there,” said Steamboat coach Bob Hiester, whose team opened the year with a 13-1 win against Telluride. “We got down and didn’t give up. That’s the best we’ve ever played. We matched their intensity foot for foot.” 

Steamboat, with arguably its most talented team ever, was down 3-0 after one quarter and trailed 5-2 at the half. 

“I told them. ‘Hey, we’re right there,’” Hiester said about his halftime speech. “We possessed the ball and did some nice things. I just told them we were in good shape.” 

The Sailors trailed 8-5 going into the final quarter before scoring four unanswered goals to take a 9-8 lead. 

Steamboat opened overtime with possession of the ball, but after one trip down, Rock Canyon regained possession and scored. 

Lance Ostrom led the Sailors with four goals and three assists. Wilber Ranieri had three goals and two assists, and Dane Dixson added a goal. 

Steamboat next plays Friday against Durango in Grand Junction. The team also plays Saturday at Glenwood Springs. 

Rock Canyon “is a good, quality lacrosse team,” Hiester said. “We set a high water mark for us. We have to maintain this level of play through the Mountain Conference.”

To reach Luke Graham, call 970-871-4229 or email lgraham@SteamboatToday.com