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Game Preview: JU Dolphins Meet Southern Cal in NCAA Tournament Friday

Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in , , .
via press release, photo via JU web site   JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For the fourth time in five seasons, the Jacksonville University women’s lacrosse team will play in the NCAA Tournament. The reigning ASUN Conference champions earned an automatic bid to the Big Dance this past Sunday, and drew Southern California in the opening round later that evening. The matchup, which will see JU and USC compete for the first time ever, will be held at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium Friday at 4 p.m. on the campus of Florida. Click the links above for access to live video and live stats. Gameday Information Gator Ticket Office | (352) 375-4683 or 800-344-2867 Adults: $5 Students & Children: $3 JU’s Last Outing Jacksonville captured its fourth ASUN Conference Championship title with a dramatic second half comeback over the top-seeded Coastal Carolina this past Sunday. En route to their 11-10 victory, where they trailed 6-3 at the half, six different Dolphins scored. Rachel Aus and Jody Julmice provided a spark of the bench to snake a pair of shots between the pipes, while Ashtyn Hiron registered a hat trick. In the closing minutes, CCU went 0-for-3 on free-position attempts — one was saved by Dolphin goalie Sydney Matthews – and a turnover with 30 seconds remaining sealed the game. Click here to watch highlights from the championship match. #PhinsLAXFacts
  • Hannah Wilcox was named the ASUN Tournament MVP, and joined Emily Barton, Erica Beal, Jaime Chapman and Danielle Della Rocca on the all-tournament team
  • The Dolphins are in the midst of a four-game winning streak, and manage a record of 5-1 on the road this season
  • Jacksonville has won the ASUN Tournament in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017, and is the winningest program in ASUN history with a league record of 33-1
  • Jacksonville seeks its first NCAA Tournament win after taking on Massachusetts (2015) and Denver (2013 & 2014)
  • Della Rocca was named ASUN Co-Player of the Year while Erika Brager nabbed Defensive Player of the Year
  • Hiron notched her 100th career point in the regular season finale with a goal in the first half; she joins Aus and Courtney Valdez who have also cracked 100 career points this year
  • Della Rocca, the ASUN’s all-time leader in goals and points, became the program’s all-time point leader (243) at Howard earlier this season and its all-time leading goal scorer (183) in the semifinal meeting versus Furman
Scouting the Opposition The Trojans (16-3) are two-time Mountain Pacific Sports Federation champions in the midst of a 10-game winning streak. The team is led by IWLCA All-American Michaela Michael who has recorded 71 goals and 17 assists on the year. Goalie Gussie Johns manages a 7.52 goals-against average with 113 saves in 19 starts. Next Up The winner of Jacksonville/USC will advance to the second round of play to take on No. 3 Florida. Game time at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium is set for Sunday, May 14, at 12 p.m.    

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