via JU press release/website, by Margaux Munick

Women’s Lacrosse Captains 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University Women’s Lacrosse coach Tara Singleton announced today that Maddie Sturgell (Graduate Student), Sarah Elms (Graduate Student), Lauren Craft (Graduate Student), Grace Hobson (Senior), and Hailey Blachly (Senior) have been selected as captains for the 2023 season. 

“Each of these leaders are exceptional” said Singleton “The manner in which they carry themselves, support their teammates, compete and represent our program is top-notch. They have earned the respect of their teammates, and the team is really excited about their leadership. I can’t wait to see where they take us in 2023.”

Craft appeared in all 19 games and started in 9 during her 2022 season. She recorded season totals of 28 goals, 12 assists, 16 ground balls, 11 caused turnovers, and two draw controls. Craft had her top performance during The Dolphins 20-12 win over Liberty, contributing four goals, one assist, two ground balls, and a caused turnover. Craft was named to the ASUN All-Tournament team (2022) for her efforts in the Attack position. 

Elms had an incredibly successful 2022 season, culminating in eight individual honors, most notably being named to the ASUN All-Conference First Team and as an honorable mention to both the Inside Lacrosse and USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American rosters. Elms started in 18 of 19 games for the ‘Phins in 2022 and recorded career-highs in both goals and assists in a season with 68 and 25, respectively. She recorded 15 ground balls and caused 12 turnovers while going 60.7% on free position attempts. Sarah has broken a few Dolphin records, including goals in a career with 209, free position goals in a career with 53, and was also able to tie the points in a single game record when she notched ten points in the ‘Phins’ 21-8 win over Harvard.

Sturgell, who served as a captain during the 2022 season, started in all 19 games on defense for the Dolphins, recording a total of 18 caused turnovers and 14 ground balls. Throughout her time at Jacksonville University, she has racked up titles, being named All-ASUN First Team (2019), ASUN All-Freshman Team (2019), ASUN All-Preseason Team (2021), and Unanimous Selection to the ASUN All-Academic Team (2021).

Hobson recorded multiple career bests during the 2022 season with 25 goals and 24 assists. She has recorded hat tricks on three separate occasions, one of which was during the 2022 ASUN Championship Final victory over Liberty. Her top performance of the season came during the Delaware State game, where she racked up six points with two goals and four assists. 

Blachly started in 14 of 19 games during the 2022 season. She was third on the team in caused turnovers and fourth on the team for ground balls. Her top performance of the season was when she added four ground balls and three caused turnovers against Coastal Carolina last year. Blachly was also named to the 2022 ASUN All-Academic team. 

The Women’s Lacrosse Season kicks off  February 10th at 4:00PM with a home match up between Jacksonville University and The University of Michigan at Rock Stadium.