FORT COLLINS - The Fort Collins boys lacrosse team made the most of its in-state pit stop at French Field on Friday night.

Returning from a Florida trip during which the Vipers won two of three games to begin the season, No. 5 Fort Collins stormed a formidable Denver East defense in an 11-7 home victory.

It was the first time since 2004 that Fort Collins Unified has beaten the Angels, and the win came just before another East Coast trip the Vipers will take next week.

"We don't have a very good record against (East), so when we beat them, it is huge," Fort Collins' Henry Miketa said. "We just tried to keep possession and capitalize when their defense would make a mistake."

Miketa took the most advantage of the mistakes No. 3 East made throughout the game. The Angels were allowing only five goals per game, but Miketa equaled that himself while also pitching in two assists.

Miketa's stretch of three goals for his team to end the first half extended to a fourth consecutive goal, with 8:25 left in the third quarter, as Fort Collins (3-1) had an answer for every East rally.

East had a lead at 3-2 before the string Miketa put together midway through the second quarter. With East down 5-3 with seconds to go, Matt Tapper was able to pound a ball past goalie Andy Titterington to cut the lead to a goal.

Titterington rallied for three saves in the third period to help keep the Vipers ahead, and the offense responded with four fourth-quarter scores to seal the win.

Conner Saller and Eric Newman added two goals apiece for the Vipers.

The Angels (5-1) were able to get 13 shots on Titterington, but they had plenty of turnovers throughout that hindered their comeback efforts. Denver East goalie Richie Londer also struggled, allowing 11 goals on only 12 shots.

"It seems like a long time since we've beat them," Fort Collins coach Carey Smith said. "A lot of these guys on this team are finally getting their chance on varsity, and they are a different team than last year. They're a little bit more aggressive, a little bit harder hitting. I'm pretty excited about this group."

Denver East......2	2	1	2	-	7
Fort Collins......2	3	2	4	-	11

Goals-Assists - DE, Ethan Demby 2-0, Jack Spina 1-1, Josh Russell 1-0, Robbie Nichols 1-0, Matt Tapper 1-0, Andrew Lay 1-0, Ryan Finegan 0-3, Nick Job 0-1; FC, Henry Miketa 5-2, Conner Saller 2-1, Eric Newman 2-0, Devin Arruabarrena 1-0, Brock Waddeel 1-0, Tyler Whitcomb 0-1.

Goalie saves - DE, Richie Londer 0-1-0-0 - 1; FC, Andy Titterington 2-0-3-1 - 6. Shots on goal - Denver East 4-2-4-3 - 13, Fort Collins 2-4-2-4 - 12.

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