via JU press release/website, by Alex Kerstetter

BOX SCORE

LOUISVILLE, Ky.- The Jacksonville Dolphins defeated the Bellarmine Knights 13-12 in the regular season finale on Saturday. The win, pending a result by Air Force, sees them finish no lower than third in the conference.

JU STAT LEADERS
GOALS- Brandon Galloway (3)
ASSISTS- Jackson Intrieri; Brandon Galloway (2)
CAUSED TURNOVERS- Tucker Garrity (3)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Brandon Galloway and Jackson Intrieri led the Dolphins (12-3, 7-2 ASUN) offensively with 11 combined points. Galloway used a first quarter hat-trick to give JU an early lead and, after a second quarter Bellarmine burst of goals, Intrieri opened the third quarter with a goal to give Jacksonville the lead for good. For Galloway and Intrieri, it’s both their third time this season with at least five points in a game, which is a team high. Intrieri scored his third for a hat-trick with 9:46 left in the fourth quarter, which ultimately turned out to be the winning goal as the Dolphins left Kentucky with a one goal win.

“Brandon has had a great few weeks,” said head coach John Galloway. “And we need to continue to have guys compliment our offense to find ways to win. It may be ugly the rest of the way, but that is just how this team operates.”

Luke Millican started in the cage for Jacksonville and made nine saves. Defensively, the team had eight players record at least two ground balls and an additional five scoop up at least three. Tucker Garrity and Nathan Kapp led the team with four a piece. Garrity also led the team in caused turnovers with three.

“I am really proud of our defensive unit, led by Troy Hettinger,” further added coach Galloway. “He held the nation’s leading point getter to one assist, and continues to show he is a top defenseman in the nation.”

Jacksonville opened the game with a five-goal lead, but Bellarmine answered quickly in the second quarter to see the game tied at half. The Dolphins defense tightened down the hatches in the third quarter and only surrendered one goal to the second-best offense in the ASUN. Jacksonville scored six second half goals to Bellarmine’s five and ultimately came away with a season ending victory.

“Today was a crazy game filled with some amazing runs by both teams,” said Galloway. “While we didn’t play a very clean game, we found ways to win despite some injury and self-inflicted wounds. Bellarmine is a talented group, and we have to learn how to enjoy the feeling of success while getting excited about the opportunity to learn.”

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Garrity’s three caused turnovers is the second time he’s recorded at least three in a game this season.
• Galloway’s hat trick is his second consecutive and the second time this season he’s had consecutive hat-tricks.
• Intrieri’s five points see him tied for the team best with 45 on the year, and the most in conference play with 34.

UP NEXT

The Dolphins compete in the ASUN conference tournament next week, with their first game to be determined based on seeding.