via JU press release/website, by Nieja Jordan

BOX SCORE

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Despite controlling the opening stages of the game and the final quarter, the Jacksonville women’s lacrosse team (2-6) fell 16-11 to the Princeton Tigers (5-3) at Rock Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

SCORING LEADERS 

GOALS: Maeve Brennan (2); Brianna Samuels (2); Lauren Ellis (2); 

GROUND BALLS: Maddie Herman (2); Maggie Cuddy (2); Maggie Foster (2); Riley Dash (2); 

DRAW CONTROLS: Abby Moran (16); Kaila Stasulli (4) 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

In spite of a dominant finish in the fourth quarter by The Dolphins, which included four unanswered goals in the final 15 minutes and holding the Princeton offense scoreless, JU ran out of time before completing itscomeback. Princeton had built a nine-goal lead early in the fourth before the Dolphin surge began, ultimately leading to their defeat. 

The beginning of the game was perfect for midfielder Lauren Ellis. The graduate senior opened the scoring with two back-to-back goals, which gave JU an early 2-0 lead with 11:40 to play in the first. The Princeton offense responded minutes later with a 3-0 run, leaving the score at 3-2 with 2:30 remaining in the quarter. Just before the first whistle, Brianna Samuels added to the Dolphin tally by scoring a goal to tie the game heading into the second quarter. 

To start the second quarter, Jenna Peed kept the momentum going for the green and white by finding the back of the net five minutes into the quarter, which made the score 4-3 in favor of Jacksonville. However, the Tigers adjusted and pulled away on a 5-0 run in response, which was eventually disrupted by a goal from Maeve Brennan, assisted by Brianna Samuels before the two sides headed into the locker room. 

The second half saw back-and-forth scoring, but the favor still went in the Tigers’ direction. Within the 15 minutes, the Tigers added six more goals against the Dolphins’ two to finish the quarter with a score of 14-7. The Dolphins’ goals came courtesy of a free-position goal by Ainsley Scruggs and another goal by LaRen Blakesley. 

The Dolphin offensive surge took control of the final minutes of the game. Maeve Brennan, Maddy Orefice, Maddie Herman, and Brianna Samuels continuously applied pressure on the Tigers’ defense, reducing the once nine-goal difference to a 16-11 difference, in favor of the visitors. 

COACHES COMMENTS 

“While I wish the final outcome of the game were different, I am extremely proud of the progress we have made,” said Head Coach Tara Singleton. “I expect our team to use this momentum to propel us forward as we kick off conference play next week.” 

UP NEXT 

The Dolphins hit the road next Saturday, March 23, to face Stetson. The game is set to begin at 1 pm and will be streamed on ESPN+. 

ADDITIONAL NOTES 

• Dolphins won the assist battle 4-to-2. 
• JU finished with more saves than Tigers, 11-to-10. 
• Dolphins had 21 clears, while Tigers only had 10.