Huskies laxers get back at Aspen

EDWARDS, Colorado — A 12-2 whomping can do one of two things to the losing team.

It can make the team cower, or it can charge the team up.

Battle Mountain lacrosse, which lost to Aspen by a double-digit margin in a snow-shortened game earlier this year, took coach Bob Daino’s advice and got a bit angry before Wednesday’s rematch in Edwards and came away with a 13-9 win.

“They were psyched, and it was a good turnaround,” Daino said. “(Aspen) thought they were going to come out and walk all over us because of the first game. I told the kids if they weren’t up for it, Aspen was going to stomp on them.”

The Huskies broke away from a 4-4 tie to take a five-goal lead before Aspen closed the gap to two goals in the fourth quarter.

“We needed a couple of ground balls, and Kristjan Gannon was all over the field for us,” Daino said. “If it hadn’t been for him, they could have come back and tied us. He was getting possession and playing incredible.”

Battle Mountain moved ahead by five again and, thanks to keeper Spencer Currie, fended off a late Aspen surge.

“He stopped three one-on-ones at the end,” Daino said.

Seven different Huskies scored goals, with Coleby Henzlik netting three.

“He moved here from Atlanta at the beginning of the year and was a good find,” Daino said. “He’s my ball-control guy.”

Todd Walker, Eric Davis, Barrett Chow and Ryan Maddux each had two goals, while John Ryan Melzer and Colby Childers each chipped in one. Blaze Heuga had a pair of assists.

With the win, the Huskies, who are not yet a full Colorado High School Activities Association team, improved to 4-3 on the season and host Grand Junction on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Edwards.

Sports Writer Ian Cropp can be reached at 970-748-2935 or icropp@vaildaily.com.