Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — The Steamboat Springs High School boys lacrosse team got a much better start Saturday. running away with a 12-4 win against Fruita.

Steamboat all but sealed the victory in the first quarter, racing out to a 6-1 lead. The team also led 8-3 after one quarter and 12-3 after three quarters.

“We talked to the kids before the game and said no matter the situation, we can’t start slow,” said Steamboat coach Bob Hiester, whose team started slow Friday against Grand Junction before picking up the win. “We talked about it last night as a team. We can’t afford to start slow and give other teams momentum.”

Fruita came in seeing Steamboat had beaten Grand Junction, 9-4. Earlier in the season, Fruita beat Grand Junction, 10-5. Hiester said knowing that Fruita was thinking it could play with Steamboat meant the Sailors’ start was all the more important.

“We got them down early on,” Hiester said. “I think Fruita started to have a lot of doubts and our kids kept the pressure on.”

The Sailors again got great balance.

Wilber Ranieri led the scoring charge with three goals. Ben Wharton and Lance Ostrom each had two goals, and John Wharton, Christian Ramirez, Kai Rogers, Mike Lekarczyk and Thomas Tarcha each had a goal.

John Wharton also had five of Steamboat’s 10 assists.

Hiester also commended the play of longstick midfielder Eric Trousil. Fruita sported a solid faceoff man, and Trousil was able to neutralize him.

“We got ourselves back in a groove here,” Hiester said. “I was real pleased with the effort.”

Steamboat (8-1 overall, 7-0 in the Mountain Conference) next plays against Thompson Valley at 4 p.m. Monday at home.

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