Lakewood boys lacrosse keeps playoff hopes alive

LAKEWOOD — It’s that time of the season when checking the CHSAA RPI rankings is a daily routine for boys lacrosse coaches that are on the playoff bubble.

That is the case for Lakewood coach Darin Denton. The Tigers are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to making the 24-team Class 5A state tournament. 

“It is crazy to think that a team like this with so much talent could possibly miss the playoffs,” Denton said. “But that is the situation we are in. We’ll try to get in and make a splash when we get there.”

A huge 10-9 victory for the Tigers (5-8, 2-3 in 5A League #2) over rival Chatfield (6-6, 2-2) on Wednesday night at Trailblazer Stadium edged Lakewood a little closer to a coveted postseason spot.

The win moved Lakewood for No. 27 in RPI to No. 25. 

“This was definitely a must-win game,’ Lakewood senior Luke Brunner said. “We dropped the last few games by one or two goals. This was a must-win.”

The Tigers were on a 4-game losing streak prior to the win over the Chargers. Lakewood’s pervious three losses were by five combined goals. Neither Lakewood or Chatfield had more than a 2-goal lead during the entire game Wednesday night.

“Finally. Finally,” Denton said of the Tigers winning a close game. “It’s all we’ve been talking about. Trying to get over that little hump. We kept on coming up a little bit short.”

Brunner — Bucknell University men’s lacrosse commit — carried the Tigers offensively early. The senior scored Lakewood’s first four goals in the opening half. He finished with a game-high five goals. Senior Cooper Penoyer actually gave the Tigers its first lead 5-4 with the final goal of the first half.

“Cooper has really come up clutch,” Brunner said. “He has taken on that other scoring role. It has been huge for us.”

Penoyer put in two key four-quarter goals, including the eventual game-winning goal with 3:41 left in the game.

“Cooper has really come on for us in the last four games,” Denton said. “Not just on the field, but off the field too. He has been a great leader and he keeps the other’s spirits up when they get down.”

Lakewood sophomore goalie Ethan Branscom made a big save in the closing minutes to keep the Tigers up a goal. 

“That poor kid has got thrown into a lot,” Denton said of his sophomore goalie. “He has risen to the occasion. We weren’t sure if he had it in him, but he did. He is living up to the expectations. It’s awesome.”

Chatfield took a pair of penalties in the final few minutes that allowed Lakewood to keep possession and run out the clock. 

“Part of it is fun. Part of it is worry and stress,” Brunner said of him playing keep-away in the final minute behind the Charger goal for nearly 40 seconds while being chased by multiple Chatfield players. “You especially don’t want to turn it over right there.”

Lakewood has two conference games remaining next week. The Tigers face Ralston Valley on May 1 at Trailblazer Stadium before a road trip to square off against Monarch on May 5.

Chatfield is still in pretty good shape to make the postseason. The Chargers were No. 19 in RPI after the loss. Chatfield juniors Michael Gaffney and Dominic Hollenkamp both had two goals each to lead the Chargers.

Three regulation-season games still remain for Chatfield. The Chargers are in Boulder on Friday to face Fairview, followed by facing rival Columbine on May 3 at Trailblazer Stadium before heading up to Fort Collins to face Poudre on May 5.