Desert Dogs Top Seals In Front Of First Sellout Crowd

Desert Dogs
Photo Credit: Stephen Greathouse; Photo courtesy of the National Lacrosse League

“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk – Senior Correspondent, All Lacrosse All The Time

The Las Vegas Desert Dogs held on for a 12-10 win over the San Diego Seals Saturday night in front of their first ever sellout crowd at Lee’s Family Forum. It’s the second win for the Desert Dogs (2-5) in their last three games, and the first win at their new home in Henderson. They have a bye in Week 9 before hosting Georgia in Week 10. San Diego drops to 3-4 with the loss, marking just the fourth instance in franchise history (dating to 2019) where the team’s win-loss record is below the .500 mark. The Seals also have a bye in Week 9 before hosting Saskatchewan in a pivotal Week 10 matchup. Las Vegas and San Diego will meet again in Week 16 at San Diego.

Desert Dogs

Teamwork makes the dreamwork for Desert Dogs

The Seals got on the board first, with Trent DiCicco scoring the only goal of the first quarter at 7:29. The Desert Dogs turned it on the second quarter, starting with a three-goal run in a span of less than two minutes. Jackson Webster (6:14), Jonathan Donville (7:40), and Nick Preston (8:10) put Las Vegas up 3-1. The teams then traded goals until halftime, with Dylan Watson (8:35) and Kyle Jackson (11:06) scoring for the Seals, and Jack Hannah (10:08) and James Barclay (14:23) finding the net for the Desert Dogs as they took a 5-3 lead into halftime.

Desert Dogs hold on for first home win

Brandon Goodwin (1:24 third quarter) made it 6-3 in favor of Las Vegas to start the second half. Goals from Ty Thompson (4:11) and Ryan Benesch (5:18 power play) pulled San Diego within one, 6-5. Kyle Killen pushed the lead back to two almost a minute later (6:15), but Benesch scored his second power play goal (8:29) to get back within one. Marshal King then scored on a hidden ball trick at 9:37 to make it 8-6. But goals from Jackson (10:34) and Rob Hellyer (11:28) tied the game at 8. Hannah’s second goal (14:03) put the Desert Dogs up 9-8 going into the final frame.

Casey Jackson (1:10 fourth quarter; power play) and Hannah’s hat trick goal (2:05) increased the lead to 11-8. Hellyer scored again (7:29) to close the gap to two, but Adam Poitras (9:25) countered for Las Vegas. Benesch’s hat trick goal (9:52) made it 12-10, but San Diego was unable to get any closer in the final five minutes of the game.

http://twitter.com/vegasdesertdogs/status/1880842121478799569

Other Stats of Note

San Diego dominated at the faceoff dot despite not having Trevor Baptiste, winning 17 of 26 draws

Chris Origlieri (SD): 28 saves; Justin Geddie (LV): 43 saves

In spite of the win, the Desert Dogs’ streak of scoring 12 goals or less has now reached 36 consecutive games

Ben McIntosh (SD): 4 assists

Zach Currier (SD): 13 Loose Balls (led all players)

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