The San Diego Seals came out victorious on Saturday against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs with a 15-12 win at Snapdragon Stadium in the National Lacrosse League Stadium Showdown. The day was filled with firsts, as it was the first-ever outdoor game in NLL history, and the first time the San Diego Seals played the newest team in the league, the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. The Stadium Showdown was an epic day filled with incredible lacrosse, fanfare, excitement, and perhaps the dawn of a new era in the NLL.
Aside from a victory, the legacy of this particular match will inspire generations to come, and will have an impact on the growth of lacrosse as a whole. The high-quality broadcast shown throughout the country was top-notch, and created a closer look into the game of box lacrosse for sports fans across the country.
“To experience a monumental game, we’re really grateful. We knew how meaningful it would be, for the game of lacrosse as a whole. Not only for our market, but it had a national stage,” said head coach Patrick Merrill. “Hopefully it encourages some young lacrosse players to pick up a stick.”
Snapdragon Stadium was filled with energy as San Diego and Las Vegas went head-to-head nearly all game long. The score stayed close throughout the game as the two teams kept fighting their way to the lead. The Seals had a narrow lead going into the half at 8-7, and still at the end of the 3rd with a 11-10 lead. The last quarter, however, saw the Seals pull away, ultimately taking the win.
The San Diego Seals offense was firing on all cylinders throughout the game with all of the familiar names contributing to the Seals win. Seals forwards Dane Dobbie, Curtis Dickson, and Casey Jackson all finished with a hat trick, along with forwards Wes Berg and Tre Leclaire netting two goals. Mac O’Keefe and Austin Staats each got one in the net, and Staats finished with 5 assists. But he wasn’t alone as 11 different Seals players helped on the assists. Needless to say the ball was moving quick all game long keeping Las Vegas defense on alert.
On the Desert Dogs side, Charlie Bertrand lead the team in goals with 3 while Jack Hannah, Zach Greer, and Rob Hellyer each finished with 5 points. The Las Vegas Desert Dogs fans rolled deep to San Diego, and Snapdragon Stadium was filled with electric energy in the stands.
Las Vegas was wearing their home black jerseys since the Seals donned custom yellow jerseys for the game as a nod to playing under the San Diego sunshine. The one-of-a-kind jerseys with the matching yellow helmets definitely shined throughout the day. Another shining moment was watching the Seals came out pregame wearing the bright San Diego Padres’ City Connect jerseys to pay respect to the coastal community of San Diego and fellow sports teams.
For the first match in franchise history between the San Diego Seals and Las Vegas Desert Dogs to be of such epic proportions, it certainly feels like a new rivalry in the making. Check out the full gallery of the game right here.
The Seals head to Saskatchewan next week to face the Rush, and will return home to Pechanga Arena San Diego for Godzilla Night on March 25 as they take on the Buffalo Bandits at 7:00 pm PT. Get your tickets for this monster-sized match as the Seals pay homage to King of the Monsters and pop culture icon, Godizlla, right here.
