EAST MONTPELIER — U-32 held Colchester to one first-quarter goal and held the Lakers to their first single-digit total of the season, a sign of progress after a season-opening 16-2 loss in Colchester.

One thing is certain. You can never look past an opponent in the playoffs. Not that Rutland did. The Raiders knew Colchester was a better team than a 2-11-1 record would indicate. And the No. 14 ...