via JU press release/website, by Margaux Munick

Jacksonville, Fla. – The Dolphins earned six spots on the 2023 ASUN Women’s Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference Team, the league announced Thursday afternoon. 

Graduate students Maddie Sturgell (D) and Molly Brock (MF) received unanimous selection to the team alongside fellow graduate student Sarah Elms (A), Seniors Hailey Blachly (D) and Mackenzie Boyle (A), and Junior Paige Pagano (GK) were also named to the team.  

Sturgell receives her second back-to-back nomination to the ASUN All-Preseason Team. Starting in all 19 games as a defensive captain during the ’22 season. Sturgell recorded 18 caused turnovers and 14 ground balls, as well as achieving four multi-caused turnover games with three CTs against both Southern California and Liberty. 

Blachly captures her first ASUN Women’s Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference Team nomination. Blachly appeared in all 19 Dolphins’ games and claimed a starting spot in 14. She recorded five multi-caused turnover games and, in two separate games, recorded three CTs. Blachly finished the 2022 season third on the team in caused turnovers and fourth in ground balls. 

Boyle is nominated after back-to-back stellar years of play for JU. During her 2022 season, Boyle appeared in 18 games, achieving career highs in multiple statistical categories, including goals (19), caused turnovers (4), and draw controls (8). Boyle recorded her top performance of the season during Round One of the NCAA Tournament against Stanford when she achieved a hat-trick which assisted in the Dolphins’ 20-8 victory. 

In addition, Jacksonville swept the Preseason Honors by being awarded Unanimous Preseason Player of the Year, Preseason Midfielder of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year. 

Unanimous Preseason Player of the Year – Sarah Elms 

Preseason Midfielder of the Year – Molly Brock 

Defensive Player of the Year – Paige Pagano

Elms returns for her sixth season at JU following an impressive 2022 season. Starting in 18 of 29 games for the ‘Phins, Elms not only recorded career highs in goals (68) and assists (25) in 2022, she also broke and set a few Dolphin records. These include goals in a career, free position goals in a career, and tying the record of points in a single game. For the second year in a row, Elms was named Unanimous Preseason Player of the Year. 

Brock returns for her fifth season with the Dolphins’ after a killer 2022 season. Brock started in all 19 games and, in the 2022 season alone, recorded 122 DC, adding to an already impressive career now totaling 303, which allowed her to surpass the previous Jacksonville record of 250. Brock defended her title as Preseason Midfielder of the Year after winning the title for back-to-back seasons.  

Pagano had a stellar sophomore year appearing in 17 games and starting in 11. Pagano gained her first statistical win against ECU, making six saves and allowing the Dolphins to secure a 24-5 victory. Pagano also recorded three 10+ save games during the 2022 season, including an impressive 17-save performance in the Dolphins’ game against Florida. Pagano finished the season with a save percentage of .580 and a GAA of 7.15. 

As a team, Jacksonville was selected first in the 2023 ASUN Preseason Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Poll. The returning ASUN Champion Dolphins earned six first places votes with a total of 62 points. Liberty followed in second with one first-place vote and a total of 54 points, followed by Coastal Carolina, who also received one first-place vote and a total of 49 points. Kennesaw State (38), Stetson (28), Lindenwood (26), Queens (19), and Delaware State (12) finished out the Coaches Poll. 

The Dolphins Kick-off the 2023 season home against Michigan on Friday, February 10 at 4 P.M.