The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Headed to Aspen this weekend
By Sara Reese
The West Elk Warriors U12 lacrosse team traveled to Breckenridge on Sunday, September 28 for a three-game tournament and came home with a 1-1-1 record.
The day opened against a combined squad from Summit, Vail and Fraser Valley. After falling behind 0–5 early, the Warriors roared back to take a 7–5 halftime lead and never looked back securing a 17–9 victory. Goals came from Kinder McDonnell (5), Ben Anthony (4), Ryland Whitacre (3) and single tallies from Oakley Rolleczek, Leo Colucci, Porter Solomon, Avery Vlass and even goalie Bryer Helvey. Strong defensive play by Kaelan Reese, Bridger Meyer, Landon Unger and Michael Fix rounded out the effort.
The second matchup was a tough test against a larger, older Steamboat squad. Despite fighting hard, the Warriors fell 11–3, with goals from Anthony, Rolleczek and McDonnell.
In their third and final contest, the Warriors faced the Roaring Fork Swarm, a team that has often had their number. Playing their third game in just a few hours, the Warriors started slowly but clawed back to a 7–7 halftime tie. The second half saw back-and-forth action with multiple lead changes. The Warriors went ahead late, but Roaring Fork equalized in the final minute, ending in a thrilling 14–14 draw.
McDonnell (4), Vlass (3), Whitacre (2), Solomon (2), Colucci (1) and goalie Helvey (1) fueled the offense while Reese, Meyer, Unger and Fix anchored the defense. The youngest Warrior, fourth-grader Auggie Willette, also shined with tough midfield play. Helvey was a standout in goal across all three games.
The Warriors hit the road again for another tournament in Aspen on Sunday, October 5.
