The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
“Teams can roll over, but we didn’t”
By Than Acuff
After a productive start to preseason workouts with time spent outside, recent storms drove the Crested Butte Titans lacrosse team back into the gym as they prepared for their first games of the season last week. They opened their inaugural CHSAA varsity season on the road as they faced Grand Junction on Tuesday, March 14 and then headed to the Roaring Fork Valley to face the Aspen Skiers on Saturday, March 18.
“At least we have a facility to work out in and I think we were pretty ready,” says coach Buck Seling. “We just don’t have everybody together yet.”
Grand Junction jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the first quarter and then tacked on two more goals for a 6-2 lead by halftime. The Titans connected for three goals in the second half, but Grand Junction took advantage of numerous man-up situations to wear down Crested Butte and score five more times throughout the second half for the 11-5 win. Ace Gaither led the Titans with two goals while Brendan Hartigan, Jack Pierson and Finn Ramsey each scored one.
“That’s a good diversity of players scoring,” says Seling.
Fraser Birnie continued his winning ways on faceoffs taking 18 of 20 on the day and goalie Gavin Fischer finished with 10 saves.
“What really hurt us was the 14 penalties we had, they scored several times in extra man situations,” says Seling. “And when you’re playing that much defense, you’re going to wear down.”
The Titans continued with gym workouts with an emphasis on stickwork and shooting, albeit with tennis balls, as they prepared for their game against Aspen. Aspen was to be an even tougher challenge as their program has seen success in the past with a development program feeding it.
The Titans came out a bit lethargic while Aspen took a 4-0 lead in the first quarter leaving the door open for Aspen to keep piling it on.
“We came out flat in the first half,” says Seling. “Teams can roll over, but we didn’t.”
Crested Butte woke up for a stronger second half performance, but penalties cropped up in the third quarter as Aspen scored two more to go up 7-1.
“I just told them, win the fourth quarter and we did,” says Seling. “We didn’t back down.”
Hartigan and Gaither had the goals for Crested Butte while Fischer recorded nine saves.
“Our defense played much better controlling Aspen,” says Seling. “Our downfall currently is the middle of the field, and shooting, so we’re going to keep working on that.”
The Titans’ next test is Saturday, March 25 when they head to Montrose to play at 11 a.m., and then on to Durango on Tuesday. The Titans head to Telluride on Friday, March 31 with their first home game, weather permitting, on Tuesday, April 4.
