As the fifth year of its home tournament arrives, the Steamboat Bonesaws men's lacrosse team knows it's right on the cusp.

Each year the team has gotten a little closer to the championship, but it never has been able to win.

Last year, Steamboat Springs had an epic 6-5 win in the semifinals against Vail, before falling to the Denver Hooligans, 9-3, in the finals.

So what's the plan for this year's Cantina-Budweiser Steamboat Men's Lacrosse Tournament?

"Win it," attackman Jake Flax said. "Last year we got as close as we ever have. The Hooligans are coming again and if everything goes as planned, we'll meet them in the finals."

That certainly will be the plan for a Steamboat team that's been practicing Wednesday nights throughout the summer. Except for a couple of scrimmages with Vail, this will be the most competition Steamboat has seen all year.

In addition to the Denver Hooligans, teams from Vail, Fort Lewis, Colorado School of Mines and Aspen are expected to make up the pool play.

Steamboat is in a pool with Vail and Fort Lewis. The team has an 11 a.m. game against Vail and a 3 p.m. game against Fort Lewis on Saturday.

A loss against either team means another game Saturday afternoon. Two wins and the team moves on to Sunday's semifinals. Games run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday

All games will be played at the Ski Town Fields on Pine Grove Road, next to the Tennis Center at Steamboat Springs.

"I would say we're a pretty well-oiled machine if everyone comes out and plays," Steamboat defenseman Glenn Davis said. "If we can win our first two games and get a rest, we should be all right. I think if we lose one game and have to play a third game on Saturday and two games on Sunday, that's going to hurt us again."

Davis said that with many of the same teams returning for the tournament, rivalries have been created. With this being the most talented team Steamboat's ever had - including players from several top Division II and III schools as well as some of the better college club teams - Davis said this could be the year Steamboat finally wins its home tournament.

"We're definitely improved from last year," Davis said. "We're in better shape and have some new talent."

- To reach Luke Graham, call 871-4229

or e-mail lgraham@steamboatpilot.com