Charlie Vidal is happy Winston Pillsbury changed his mind.

“Two weeks ago I was not going to play lacrosse,” Pillsbury explained. “I wanted to focus on some other things and he was like, ‘dude you’ve got to play.'”

Instead of focusing on his software agency side business, Astrosoft, Pillsbury decided to join his comrades on the lacrosse field. On Thursday, the junior was involved in four of the Gore Rangers’ five first-quarter goals. He and Vidal, with help from Colby Saunders — all of whom finished with three goals apiece — set the tone as Vail Mountain cruised to a 14-1 win over the Devils.

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“The boys were buzzing, we were getting the ball around the horn,” said Vidal. “Felt the chemistry flowing through the fellas, got the ball in the back of the net.”

Ninety seconds into the contest, Pillsbury went to work from behind the net, finding a cutting Saunders for an overhand touch score. Thirty seconds later, Pillsbury got in close himself, shooting a left-hand side arm low for the 2-0 lead. The Gore Rangers continued to pour it on, even as Eagle Valley went to a box-and-1 defense. After swinging the ball around the wing, Saunders wound up and sent a laser into the corner of the net. While Vidal was instrumental in setting up teammates, he didn’t start stat-stuffing until the second quarter.

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“We had to have other guys step up,” Vail Mountain coach Stephen Michel said. “And that’s probably not going to be the only time we face that defense.”

Vidal, whom Michel feels is the best player in the league — and has been for the last couple years — has also made intentional progress in facilitating his teammates.

“He’s looking to involve when he’s going to goal,” the coach said of the Wesleyan University commit.

“I dialed in the left hand a little bit, trying to be a dual threat,” Vidal answered when asked what he’s worked on going into his senior campaign. “Most importantly, getting the chemistry dialed in (with) the team. I think it is a team sport. So games where we’re able to put a couple in and get all the fellas in — it makes us all feel so much better.”

Vidal finished the game with three assists, but flashed his 1-on-1 offensive physical dominance late, truck-stopping a Devil at midfield before dashing in close and whipping in a goal to make it 12-1. Eagle Valley’s lone score came early in the third quarter from senior captain Christian Petersen, the fourth and final Petersen in a long line of lax rats.

“Style wise, you know he’s just like his three brothers,” Eagle Valley coach Nick Carter said of Petersen, whose three older siblings went on to play at Colorado Mesa University. “They’re all — that’s all they do is play lacrosse.”

After a tough 9-8 loss to Crested Butte to open the year, the Devils fell to Aspen 17-1 on Tuesday.

“We’re young. We’re really young,” Carter said. “We have a lot of players who’ve never played the game before, but they’re learning and they’re getting better.”

With starting goalie Kyle Woodworth sidelined by a concussion suffered in the Aspen game, junior Danny Rodriguez stepped up. After the barrage of first-quarter goals, Rodriguez settled in and seemed to fill more of the net.

“Fantastic job on Danny’s behalf. He’s never played the position before but he did well,” Carter said of Rodriguez, who made several nice second-half saves.

The Devils face Steamboat Springs on Saturday and visit Battle Mountain next Tuesday. During this packed early-season schedule, Carter believes improvement hinges on fundamentals.

“Ground balls, passing and catching,” he said. “Moving forward, putting together a complete game, not just a second half or a fourth quarter push. All four quarters, playing ball.”

After finishing third in the 4A Western Slope with an 8-4 league record, Michel said this squad is a bit thinner than normal. There is, however, clear top-heavy talent, especially with the return of Pillsbury, Saunders, Connor Wadey and George Reihe, all of whom suffered knee injuries last year.

“We’ve got all these guys coming back,” Michel said. “We’re looking for other people to step up, and (this game) was a chance to get other guys the chance to do that.”

When it comes to writing the season storyline, Vidal has bold aspirations.

“I’m pretty sure the headline is going to say ‘Gore Rangers win state championship,'” he proclaimed. “So, be ready for that.”

Whether that transpires or not, Pillsbury, who ended the game with three goals and three assists, left the field feeling good about his decision to suit up this spring.

“Couldn’t feel better to be back,” he said. “Feels great to get the ball to (Vidal). I can’t thank him enough because it would feel real weird sitting on the sideline.”