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

ARVADA — The top-10 Class 4A boys lacrosse showdown Wednesday night at the North Area Athletic Complex didn’t disappoint. 

No. 3 Dakota Ridge and No. 8 Evergreen faced off 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 first league win,” Dakota Ridge coach Dak Riecke said. “In Dakota Ridge history they have never won a (boys lacrosse) league title. That is what we are trying to go for this year.”

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.

The senior midfielder fired a shot that beat Evergreen sophomore goalie Johnathon Grube to give Dakota Ridge a 11-10 lead. It was the third goal of the second half for 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 (9-2, 1-0 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. “The first team to get to 10 has a great chance to win.”

Evergreen (3-5, 0-1) put up double-digit goals too with Evergreen junior Leo Kailus leading the way with four goals. The Cougars had an opportunity to force overtime with possession of the ball in the final 30 seconds, but couldn’t get off 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 offensive 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 where both made saves on breakaway chances seconds apart.

“Logan Dobrowski stepped up for us,” Riecke said. “He is the heart and sole of our defense and almost our team. He is one of the best keepers in the state. He is so good.”

The first half ended deadlocked 5-5 with neither team holding more than a 1-goal lead. Kailus scored a trio of goals in the first 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.

Dakota Ridge continues conference play against Mullen at 3:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, at Trailblazer Stadium. Evergreen hosts rival Conifer at 6 p.m. Friday up at Evergreen High School.