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Former Saanich Tigers, Shamrocks star playing inspirational lacrosse in Fort Worth

Panther City sniper Patrick Dodds leads all rookie scorers in National Lacrosse League
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The National Lacrosse League’s Panther City Lacrosse Club earned its first win in franchise history, thanks to a winning overtime goal by former Saanich Tigers and Victoria Shamrocks junior player, Patrick Dodds. (Photo courtesy of Andy Stuart)

Former Saanich Tigers player Patrick Dodds helped write a piece of history Jan. 15, scoring the winning goal in overtime to give the expansion Panther City Lacrosse Club its first-ever National Lacrosse League victory.

Dodds scored the winner in a 13-12 road victory over the New York Riptide 10:50 into overtime. He finished with three goals and five assists and was named the game’s first star.

The Tigers minor lacrosse alumnus and former Victoria Shamrocks junior star, 20, is the Fort Worth, Texas-based Panthers’ leading scorer this season, tallying seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points in five games, and is also the top rookie scorer in the NLL.

Dodds’ accomplishments are a great inspiration to other lacrosse players in the district who hope to one day play in the NLL, said Saanich Lacrosse Association president Andy Stuart.

“As the Saanich lacrosse club is looking to build player numbers, it is exciting to see a graduate of the program currently playing in the NLL and making waves as a rookie,” he said.

In the Jan. 15 game, Panther City led the Riptide 8-3 by the halfway mark, but the Riptide roared back to make it 9-6 after three quarters. Dodds made it 10-6 with a quick goal in the fourth quarter, but the home team came back again with four straight goals – three of which were shorthanded – to tie the game 10-10. The teams traded goals to send the game to overtime at 12-12.

Lacrosse fans looking to watch Dodds in action live get a chance on Feb. 5, when Panther City travels to Vancouver to play the Warriors at Rogers Arena.

ALSO READ: Saanich lacrosse club opens affordable registration to spur participation


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