Dakota Ridge edges Evergreen in top-10 4A boys lacrosse thriller

BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ARVADA — e top-10 Class 4A boys lacrosse showdown April 19 at the North Area Athletic Complex didn’t disappoint.

No. 3 Dakota Ridge and No. 8 Evergreen faced o in a 4A Foothills League opener. Dakota Ridge took a 11-10 victory in dramatic fashion for the Eagles’ eighth straight win.

“Every game counts, and this one was huge to come out here and get our rst league win,” Dakota Ridge coach Dak Riecke said. “In Dakota Ridge history, they have never won a (boys lacrosse) league title. at is what we are trying to go for this year.” e senior mid elder red a shot that beat Evergreen sophomore goalie Johnathon Grube to give the Eagles a 11-10 lead. It was the third goal of the second half for Seymour.

Dakota Ridge senior Cameron Seymour scored the eventual game-winning goal with 1:13 remaining in the fourth quarter. Junior Quintin Fields was able to avoid the checks of Evergreen senior defender Mikey Crane before centering a pass to Seymour.

“I felt like starting out with our toughest (league) opponent really showed us what league will look like,” Seymour said. “Beating Evergreen is one of the biggest things we’ve done so far. I hope we can continue to role in league.”

Dakota Ridge (10-2, 2-0 in league) was shorthanded, missing three starters, including leading goal scorer in senior Colin Smith. However, the Eagles were still able to score double-digit goals for the eighth straight game.

“We always say it is a race to 10 (goals),” Riecke said. “ e rst team to get to 10 has a great chance to win.”

Evergreen (4-5, 1-1) put up double-digit goals, too, with Evergreen junior Leo Kailus leading the way with four goals. e Cougars had an opportunity to force overtime with possession of the ball in the nal 30 seconds but couldn’t get o a shot.

Defensive pressure by Dakota Ridge senior Ethan Jenkinson forced a Cougar turnover with under 10 seconds to play. Senior Jack Rons was able to pick up the loose ball and run out the clock for the Eagles.

“We had great defensive and o ensive play,” Riecke said. “We never gave up and fought through the whole thing. It is a great way to start this way in league.”

Grube and Dakota Ridge senior goalie Logan Dubowski were both impressive in net, especially in the fourth quarter when both made saves on breakaway chances seconds apart.

“Logan Dobrowski stepped up for us,” Riecke said. “He is the heart and soul of our defense and almost our team. He is one of the best keepers in the state. He is so good.” e rst half ended deadlocked 5-5 with neither team holding more than a 1-goal lead. Kailus scored a trio of goals in the rst half for the Cougars. Seniors Nash Carroll and Luke Killian each added a goal for Evergreen in the opening half.

Dakota Ridge was paced by sophomores Nolan Hartman and Tyler Read, who had two goals each by halftime. Junior Sam Lyall added a goal to help the Eagles keep pace with Evergreen in the opening 24 minutes.

Dennis Pleuss is the sports information director for Je co Public Schools. For more Je co coverage, go to CHSAANow.com.