The Leavenworth Bulldogs lacrosse team tied Shawnee Mission East 3-3 in their season-opener at Olathe’s Heritage Park on Thursday. Despite wind, rain and cold, both teams traded goals through the four 15-minute periods. Neither team was able to break the gridlock after battling in a four-minute, sudden-death overtime period.
Although playing a team with more and physically larger players, the Bulldogs’ enforcers succeeded in intimidating and stopping the more robust SME players. Drew Davis, Billie Raymond, Josh Ammel, Brian McGill, Rich Jeffries and Joe McKane all wound up doing time in the penalty box for infractions.
Adam Rosendahl was the first player on either team put one between the pipes early in the game, sending the message early that Shawnee Mission East had their work cut out for them. McGill would also blast one past the SME goalie in the second period. Things were looking bleak for the Bulldogs in the fourth period as SME was able to get their third goal, but Rosendahl once again muscled his way through the gauntlet set by the SME midfielders and defensemen to rocket one into the net, tying the game. The Bulldogs were led by Rosendahl with nine shots on goal, McGill with five and Ammel with four. Rosendahl also had the most ground ball credits with 11, Jeffries and Ammel each adding five. Freshman Teddy Bowie stood fearlessly in the net as SME fought to take 20 shots against him. Bowie was able to stop 85 percent of those shots.
The Bulldogs will be practicing at Ray Miller Park on Fourth Street starting in April. Their first home game is set for 6 p.m. April 1 at West Middle School against Shawnee Mission South. Athletes in grades 7-12 interested in playing lacrosse can contact John at 683-0160 for information on joining the team.
