via JU press release/website, by Alex Kerstetter

BOX SCORE – not available, Live Stats link

NINE ‘PHINS SCORE IN INSTANT CLASSIC AGAINST HIGH POINT

CHARLOTTE, N.C- The Jacksonville men’s lacrosse team beat the High Point Panthers in a high scoring 17-15 thriller on Saturday night at the Crown Lacrosse Classic.

JU STAT LEADERS

GOALS – Pio; Greiner; Galloway (3)
ASSISTS – Waldbaum (3)
GROUNDBALLS – Hettinger (6)

HOW IT HAPPENED

With a slate full of games at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, Jacksonville (3-1) had the spotlight with the primetime game. The energy was high and evident when Jacob Greiner ripped a shot into the cage just 90 seconds into the game to open the scoring. High Point responded with a goal themselves with 5:53 left. Max Waldbaum’s first goal of the season came at 4:08 of the first but was canceled out by another Panther goal with just over a minute to play as the two sides split the first quarter 2-2.

The second quarter was a lot more action packed. JU again found the back of the net first with a goal through Ethan Lamond. Jacksonville scored three of the next five to grab a two goal lead and give themselves some breathing room. 

High Point got the difference to one with just four minutes in the half but Griener and Ibrahim Pio responded quickly. A Panther goal before the half ended saw the Dolphins with an 8-6 lead at the break.

Jacksonville came out swinging to start the second half. The team scored six of the first seven goals with Greiner and Brandon Galloway claiming hattricks in the process. With just over 2:06 to in the third, High Point put an end to the bleeding with three goals of their own. The Panthers nabbed the first two goals to start the fourth as well and suddenly the seven goal JU lead was down to two. Waldbaum scored with 9:20 in the game to separate the two sides by three again, however The Panthers scored two quick ones in response to cut the lead down to one.

Tucker Garrity scored less than 30 seconds after to give the Dolphins another two goal lead, and Ibrahim Pio nabbed his first hattrick of the season three minutes later and provided a security blanket for the team. High Point scored with 2:22 left but the deficit proved too much as the Dolphins claimed the 17-15 victory.

WHAT THEY SAID

“We are thankful to get out of Charlotte with a win against an explosive and well-coached team in High Point,” said head coach John Galloway after the victory. “While we are disappointed that we let such a big lead get away from us, I believe we can get out of this game with lessons that will prove to be important for us down the road about handling success and finishing plays, quarters, and games.”

“We were very eager and excited to get guys back this week,” further added Galloway on getting guys healthy again and having them contribute. “Obviously, having Max back in there is just such a boost for the morale of our guys. Ibo was one of our top performers this fall, so we knew he was capable of being special, but for him to score four goals was so deserving because I know how hard he has worked to get to that point. The return of Tom Heed, Ethan Lamond, and Cole Daninger added to our depth and emotional punch as well.”

“While it was a big win, we have already moved on to UMASS Lowell,” said Galloway on the upcoming final week of non-conference play, “This is our first quick turn, and we need to learn now how to be professional in our approach to defend Rock Beach this Wednesday against a hungry Lowell group. We are already back to work with only that game on our mind.”

ADDITIONAL NOTES

17 goals is the most the JU has scored this season.
The Dolphins three hattricks were the most in a single game this season
Three JU players recorded five or more ground balls in Nathan Kapp, Troy Hettinger and Jack Heed

UP NEXT

The Dolphins play host to UMASS Lowell on Wednesday, March 8th