via JU press release, by Alex Kerstetter

BOX SCORE

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- The Jacksonville men’s lacrosse team fell to national powerhouse Johns Hopkins Blue Jays 12-7 in the season opener on Saturday night.

JU STAT LEADERS

GOALS – Brandon Galloway (3)
ASSISTS – Dylan Watson; Reid Smith; Nathan Kapp (1)
GROUNDBALLS – Kapp; Watson (4)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The game started with stout defense from both sides as neither side could break through and open up the games scoring. Brendan Grimes of Johns Hopkins netted the first goal at 7:29 of the first quarter, and Jackson Intrieri ripped a shot just over a minute later to tie the game off of a Reid Smith pass. The end of the first saw Jacob Greiner net two for the Dolphins and give JU a one goal lead going into the second.

Dylan Watson scored his first goal as a Dolphin just 10 seconds into the second quarter after Kapp scooped up the faceoff and dished his first assist of the season to Watson. The Blue Jays would go on to score eight of the next nine goals, partly into the third quarter, to gain a five goal advantage. Brandon Galloway netted his second of the night to end the run with 3:28 in the third quarter, but Johns Hopkins responded less than a minute later to regain a five goal lead.

The two sides split a goal a-piece in the fourth, with Galloway collecting his first hattrick as a member of the Dolphins.

COACH’S COMMENTS

“I thought tonight was an incredible moment for lacrosse in North Florida,” said head coach John Galloway after the season opener. “While it wasn’t the result we wanted, I believe that was an incredible night of college lacrosse. I am so proud of the fight our guys showed. We weren’t pretty, but we competed for 60 minutes, despite facing some adversity. We are a better team after tonight because of some of the lessons we will take from this game. We will ggo back to work tomorrow with a renewed energy because the guys in our locker room have high expectations of themselves.”

“I thought Brandon Galloway was terrific in his debut as a Dolphin,” further added Galloway. “And our defense showcased our physical and mental toughness despite a disparity of possession. I am very lucky to have the guys that we have in this locker room and look forward to the journey we are about to go on.”

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Nine players made their debuts as a member of the Dolphins.
Galloway and Watson recorded their first points as a member of the team.
JU as a team caused eight turnovers to Johns Hopkins seven.
Luke Millican recorded 11 saves

UP NEXT

The Dolphins return to action next Saturday as they play host to the Nationally ranked Duke Blue Devils. The opening faceoff is slated for 12 PM