2 weeks Ago
Needing a win to potentially solidify its first playoff appearance since 2010, Boulder boys lacrosse came up just short in its regular-season finale against Lewis-Palmer. The Panthers entered Friday’s matchup ranked No. 23 in the Class 5A CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index while the visiting Rangers stood No.
15, putting Boulder on the border of cracking the 24-team playoff field. While the Panthers could sneak in with abundant help, falling 7-5 to Lewis-Palmer at Recht Field likely ends Boulder’s postseason hopes. “I’m obviously hoping we get another shot, but we were really going into this like it was ride or die,” said senior captain Luke Nathan, who entered Friday with a team-high 56 points.
Regardless, Boulder closes its regular season at 8-6 (4-3 5A League 1). An April 18 matchup between Boulder and Jefferson Academy that was canceled due to snow won’t be rescheduled, according to BHS athletic director Ryan Bishop. While Boulder may not get over the playoff hump, the Panthers still reached the eight-win mark for the first time since 2022 (8-7).
“It’s tough because I really do love this group of guys, and we’ve been through so much,” Boulder senior defender Koby Kaplan said. “It means a lot to have so many guys who are willing to play and sacrifice for the team. I’m glad we tried to leave it all out on the field today, and we fought hard.
” Particularly on the defensive end, Boulder started strong, holding Lewis-Palmer to only one goal in the first quarter. John Higgins got the Rangers on the board first at the 10:26 mark, but Boulder answered with first-quarter goals from senior Milo Fessler and freshman Quinton Hoverstock. Boulder and Lewis-Palmer entered halftime knotted 2-2, setting the stage for an action-packed third quarter.
The Rangers struck twice early in the period, but Boulder again responded with goals from Nathan and Hoverstock — the freshman’s second of the evening. “He’s got a big future ahead of him; great work ethic, too,” Nathan said of Hoverstock. “He’s just going to keep getting better and better.
” Boulder’s momentum was short-lived as Lewis-Palmer regained a two-goal lead entering the fourth. With about seven minutes remaining in that final period, Rangers sophomore Deacon Pope delivered a dagger goal to put Lewis-Palmer up 7-4. Despite the disappointing finish, Boulder head coach Nick Voigt remains proud of the legacy built by the Panthers’ 13-member senior class.
“I know this program means a lot to them,” Voigt said. “The hope is that they leave this program not only in a better place than when they started, but also that they feel like they accomplished something, whether they got better as a player or the team got better.” Voigt’s hopes were realized by Nathan, who spent four seasons on varsity.
“The last four years, I’ve lived and breathed lacrosse with the same team,” Nathan said. “We started off my sophomore year (with) primarily freshmen and sophomores, so it’s been pretty much the same team throughout the years. I’ve seen all these boys grow and improve together.
I know it’s cliche, but I would say we’re such a family.” Boulder will officially know its postseason fate May 4 when the Class 5A state playoff bracket is announced. First-round games begin May 7.
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