Steamboat Springs — Things for the rest of this season just got more interesting in the Western Slope League for girls soccer. 

Steamboat, once considered a favorite, lost, 3-0, Friday at Palisade. 

The Sailors (8-2-1 overall and 5-2-1 in league) now have some work to do in the second half of the season. 

“It was played poorly today,” Steamboat coach Rob Bohlmann said. “It’s as simple as that.” 

After a relatively quiet first half in which the game mostly was played in midfield, where Palisade had the run of play, the Bulldogs capitalized in the 38th minute on a direct kick for a 1-0 lead. 

The Bulldogs controlled the game from there, and the Sailors never could get back into it. 

Bohlmann said he had no explanation for the struggles. He said that the team practiced well all week and that the pregame preparation was good. 

“It was just a poor performance,” he said. 

The good thing for the Sailors is they don’t have too much time to sulk about it. The team plays at 11 a.m. Saturday at Delta. 

Bohlmann said he thinks his team has the character to respond from it. And at this point, the Sailors don’t really have a choice if they want to start thinking about making the playoffs. 

“How we respond is going to be a defining character of this group right now,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity for us. It’s a fresh start, and we don’t have to wait for a week. Hopefully we find a rhythm” Saturday.

To reach Luke Graham, call 970-871-4229 or email lgraham@SteamboatToday.com