The Flathead Lacrosse Club’s high school team has been readying for the start of the season in less than ideal weather conditions. Snow-covered fields forced the team to practice indoors in gyms and, more recently, in a private pasture south of Columbia Falls.

“We just say it’s Montana lacrosse,” assistant coach Dean Chisholm said. “Put us in a pasture or a parking lot, our players will work hard and focus on getting better, regardless of the conditions.”

The team is comprised of 38 high school players from around the Flathead Valley. They’ll open their season this week with a pair of home games on Thursday, April 10, and Saturday, April 12. The team finished second in the state last year, losing the championship game to perennial power Hellgate High School.

“We’ve got a solid core of returning players, a couple of all-staters, and a few new faces who are pushing for playing time,” Chisholm said. “The boys have worked hard under adverse conditions, and now we’re looking forward to competing.”

The team will face off against Polson at 5 p.m. on Thursday and against Sentinel High School at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

The games will be played at the Grouse Mountain soccer fields in Whitefish, if conditions permit, but may be moved to the Columbia Falls High School soccer fields if necessary.

Updated information regarding times and locations for games can be found online at www.flatheadlacrosse.com.