LAKEWOOD — The temperature might have been freezing, but Lakewood’s boys lacrosse team came out hot to start the season Friday, March 11, at Trailblazer Stadium.
The Tigers dominated possession and scoring chances against Golden in the season opener for both squads. Lakewood eventually took a 9-2 victory.
“We came out hot. That is what we really needed after last year,” said Lakewood senior Lane Lessley referring to the Tigers’ 2-8 record last season. “We have a real special team coming into this year.”
Lessley had a game-high three goals for Lakewood. Junior Luke Brunner and sophomore Matt Scott both added a goal each for the Tigers. Senior Jace Wright and sophomore Sawyer Cullen each put in a goal as Lakewood never trailed.
“The boys have already worked hard, even for just a week and a half,” Lakewood coach Darin Denton said. “We’ve got a good coaching staff and the players are buying in. I’m happy and pretty excited about the season.”
The Tigers took over the game in the second quarter scoring three straight goals to take a commanding 5-1 lead. Lakewood finished off the game with four unanswered goals.
“Last year was obviously a really hard year. To have a normal start to the season and having a really good preseason was great,” Lessley said. “To play in this kind of weather might kind of stink, but it is what we want.”
The boys lacrosse season opener at Trailblazer Stadium started with temps near freezing, but the field was clear of snow and was ready to go for the 4A Jeffco versus 5A Jeffco contest.
Golden (0-1 record) lost in the 4A state quarterfinals last season to Erie, but won the 4A state championship in 2019. Junior Chase Marini scored the lone two goals for the Demons in the loss to Lakewood.
The Demons will try to get back on track when they head to Colorado Springs on Wednesday, March 16, to face defending 4A state champion Cheyenne Mountain.
“It’s going to propel us with so much momentum,” Lessley said of defending the Demons that has been a perennial 4A state contender over the last handful of years.
Lakewood had a good test at Denver East on Tuesday, March 15.
“A lot of these guys that are juniors never really got to grow up playing high school games,” Denton said referring to no season Spring 2020 season and a shortened Spring 2021 season. “We’ve got a really good group and they are growing up fast.”