via JU press release   MILWAUKEE – Battling back from a three-goal deficit at halftime with a trio of unanswered tallies in the third period, Jacksonville University men’s lacrosse just missed upsetting No. 17 Marquette on the road, 11-10, Saturday afternoon. “I’m extremely proud and inspired by the way our team fought back today for 60 minutes. They never quit and showed glimpses of great lacrosse throughout the day,” stated Head Coach John Galloway. Erasing a 6-3 deficit at halftime, the Dolphins controlled the third quarter as goals from junior Will Hendrick, freshman Jeremy Winston, and a man-down tally from junior Eric Applegate surged JU to a 6-6 deadlock heading into the final 15 minutes. The Dolphins (1-2) found an answer for each of the Golden Eagles’ marks in the fourth to come back and tie the game twice at 7:44 and 2:28 to play. After the hosts pushed to a two-goal lead with 9:27 left to open the fourth, Jacksonville responded with back-to-back goals from redshirt-freshman Tommy Barnhorst (8:48) and sophomore Alec Drosos (7:44) to tie the game at eight apiece. Another pair of Golden Eagles tallies gave Marquette its second two-goal advntage of the quarter, with 3:40 left to play. Just 20 seconds later, Hendrick found senior McLean Chicquen (3:20) and Winston dished to Applegate (2:28) less than a minute after to push the Dolphins back to a tie, 10-10. With overtime seemingly imminent, Marquette’s John Wagner was able to dodge his defender and go high to low and steal the game with seven seconds remaining, 11-10. The Dolphins’ man-down defense killed nearly 3:30 worth of penalties, including a pair of one-minute personals in the second and third quarters and a 30 second technical in the fourth, to keep Jacksonville in the game. “While I do not believe in moral victories, I do believe that we are on the right track progressing as we get ready for a big game on Tuesday night,” added Galloway. “I want to specifically recognize our man-down team, who was asked to perform on five separate occasions, only allowing one goal. I also am unbelievably proud of Eric Applegate. He played like a leader and kept our team in the game. We will go back to work tomorrow to prepare to defend our home turf.” Applegate’s five points (3g, 2a) led the Dolphins, while Winston finished the day with a goal and a pair of assists. Junior goalkeeper Hunter Sells posted five saves in net. Wagner led Marquette (1-0) with a hat trick and a pair of assists and Sells’ counterpart, Cole Blazer finished the day with five saves. The Dolphins face a quick turnaround as they welcome Detroit-Mercy Tuesday, Feb. 20 for a 7 p.m. faceoff.