via press release – photo via JU web site   JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In the first season under head coach John Galloway, the Jacksonville University men’s lacrosse team has recorded three SoCon victories – one more than the last two seasons combined – and has also clinched its first postseason appearance in three years. On Thursday, May 4, No. 2 Jacksonville will take on No. 1 Air Force in the opening round of the SoCon Tournament. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m., with Richmond hosting both semifinals and the title game. Thursday’s matchup will also be broadcast on the SoCon Digital Network. Tickets are $10 per person per day, and admission is free for SoCon member institution students with a valid school ID. Quote Board “One of our goals in the beginning of the season was to be rewarded with the opportunity to still be playing lacrosse in May. While I am proud that we have achieved that, I still believe our best lacrosse is ahead of us. The theme all week has been fighting for another chance to practice together again. Air Force is one the best coached teams in the country. Coach Seremet always puts out one of the toughest rosters, and I have great respect and admiration for all of our service academy teams. At this point in the year, the focus will be more on us and our identity of being the underdogs from Duval!” – Head Coach John Galloway #PhinLaxFacts

• The Dolphins secured a spot in the SoCon Championship with a 17-11 victory over Bellarmine in their regular season finale this past Friday
• Eric Applegate earned his first career SoCon Offensive Player of the Week honor after posting a career-high seven points against the Knights
• Jacksonville will be making its first-ever appearance in the SoCon Championship this Thursday; the team’s last postseason berth was as a member of the ASUN Conference in 2014
• Hunter Forbes is currently managing a league-high 6.36 ground balls per game, Applegate ranks fourth in the SoCon with 1.46 assists per game, and McLean Chicquen ranks fifth with 2.62 points per game

Series History Earlier this year, Jacksonville played the defending champions to a 10-9 overtime thriller where the Falcons scored the game-winner with seven seconds remaining. Chicquen, Mitchell Parker and Shawn Ewert each recorded a pair of goals while Applegate tabbed four assists. Air Force leads the all-time series, 5-1. Next Up The winner of Thursday’s matchup will meet the victor of No. 2 Richmond/No. 3 Furman in the title game. The SoCon Championship is scheduled for Saturday at noon, and will be streamed on ESPN3.