Durango Girls Lacrosse Dominates Santa Fe Prep in Resounding Senior Night Victory
After suffering their largest defeat of the season last week, the Durango High School girls lacrosse team exploded back onto the field with a commanding 13-2 senior night win over Santa Fe Prep, demonstrating resilience and power in a game that had spectators on the edge of their seats.
From the opening whistle, Durango imposed its will, quickly establishing dominance with a fast-paced offense and relentless defense. The Demons surged ahead with three goals in the first four minutes, never relinquishing control throughout the match. Their aggressive stick checks and ability to force turnovers shut down Santa Fe’s offense, preventing the Blue Griffins from finding any rhythm.
Senior Night Sparked a Team Effort Highlighted by Key Players
Durango’s seniors played pivotal roles, securing goals and leadership honors in a festive atmosphere. Senior Taylor Babcock netted three goals and assisted once, while seniors Scarlett Ramsey and Laurel Dondlinger were celebrated during the postgame senior night ceremony. Coach Eric Elliot praised the seniors’ leadership, noting their vital contribution to integrating 10 new players into the team.
“Their leadership is amazing. We have 10 new players, and it’s getting harder to pick out who hasn’t played before—all thanks to the senior class,” Elliot said.
Leading the offensive charge was junior Indie Eaton, who tallied a team-high four goals and two assists. Freshman Janelle Dingler added three goals and three assists, and sophomore Keelyn Reynolds scored her first goal of the season, showing strong defensive anticipation that caused a reported school record of 10 turnovers. Junior goaltender Jody Holden stood firm in goal with six saves, keeping Santa Fe’s offense largely at bay.
Strong Defense and Fast Transitions Overwhelm Santa Fe Prep
The Demons set the tone early by capitalizing on transition opportunities created by aggressive defense. Reynolds, in particular, impressed with her knack for reading passes and disrupting plays before they developed. The team’s high-energy approach resulted in a comfortable 7-goal lead at halftime, standing at 8-1.
Santa Fe struggled with possession throughout the game, hindered by continual stick checks and poor passing. Despite their goalkeeper’s multiple close-range saves, Santa Fe couldn’t mount significant offensive pressure. Durango’s defensive pressure kept the Blue Griffins from ever settling into a consistent attack.
In the second half, Durango maintained its grip on the match. Although the lead could have grown even larger, missed shots kept the score respectable. However, the Demons cruised confidently, holding a commanding 11-2 lead heading into the final quarter.
Looking Ahead: Durango Prepares to Host Telluride
The Demons’ focus now shifts to their upcoming home game against Telluride this Wednesday at 4 p.m., where they look to continue their strong season which currently stands at an impressive 8-3 overall.
Coach Elliot remains optimistic, emphasizing the team’s goal to start games strong and set the tone early. Durango’s dominant performance on senior night proved their ability to rebound from setbacks with determination and skill—qualities that will be essential as they push deeper into the season.
