thanks to Bridgette Gale, Athletic Media Relations Assistant – Jacksonville University for this press release   JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University put on one of its finest team efforts of the season, but High Point scored four fourth-quarter goals to break open a 5-all tie and beat the Dolphins’ men’s lacrosse team 9-6 in a Southern Conference game at D. B. Milne Field Saturday. The teams battled on even terms throughout the physical game and with the scored tied at the end of three periods, JU’s Quint Miller took an assist from senior Conor Igoe for a score and a 6-5 lead with 14:04 to play. High Point (6-5, 2-1) responded with two goals in 36 seconds, the second with 8:37 to play, and scored two late goals as JU (4-5, 1-2) was forced to chase the ball late. The score negated a tremendous team effort on defense and several standout individual efforts for JU. Igoe ended the game with two goals and the assist, teammate Dakota Rohlinhad a pair of goals and defenseman Austin Curtis had five ground balls and six caused turnovers. Goal keeper Bass Barfield had 15 saves, several of them key plays early. “It hurts right now but this season’s not over,” Igoe said. “These next three games are huge. Our backs are against the wall so we are going to have to practice hard and win the next three.” The loss was the third consecutive for the Dolphins and after a tough week at practice, Igoe said he wasn’t surprised with the team’s effort. “No, I wasn’t,” he said. “We’re all very close and we all thought we could, and believed we could (win), and we’re a team.” The Dolphins used crisp defense in a first half that ended in a tie at three and held the Panthers scoreless in the first period. Curtis, a senior captain from Marcy, N.Y., led the defensive charge as he had five caused turnovers and three ground balls in the half, including a pair of key turnovers early on. “Mixed emotions,” he said. “We played well, shut them out in the first quarter, but ultimately we lost. It’s nice to see everyone come together. It was a tough week but it challenged everybody a little but it looks like everyone is stepping up to the plate.” Curtis said he is looking for the results to turn around. “I’m a little aggravated,” he said. “We’re busting it every day and I just want to be the best player I can be for my teammates.” Defenseman Charlie Archer (Wilmington, N.C.) also had three ground balls in the half and goal keeper Bass Barfield recorded seven saves, six in the second quarter alone. JU scored first when Dakota Rohlin (Temecula, Calif.) hit on the first of his two goals in the first half with 7:52 to play in the first quarter. After High Point tied at one, Igoe (Columbus, Ohio) scored on a sprawling shot from his knees with 5:22 to go in the half. The Panthers scored a pair to lead, 3-2, and Rohlin connected again with 36 seconds to play in the half and the 3-3 tie. The effort wasn’t lost on coach Guy Van Arsdale who lauded the defensive effort throughout. “We gave up two at the end because we were chasing the ball when we’re down a goal and time is running out so essentially that’s a one-goal game,” he said. “I’m really proud of the effort and how hard our guys worked and how smart they were. I thought we were very smart and played together well as a unit.” Van Arsdale also had kind words for Curtis. “He was a man possessed out there today,” he said. “He was all over the field making plays, big plays, and he was a real catalyst for us in a lot of that game. “There’s a lot to build on from this game,” Van Arsdale continued. “We have some young kids who got their first experience and that’s a tough game to get your first experience in against a team like that. They really cut their teeth and I think the next time they step out there they will be a lot more prepared.” The Dolphins travel to Bellarmine Saturday in their next Southern Conference game.   Bridgette Gale Athletic Media Relations Assistant Jacksonville University (o):(904)-256-7761 (c): (904)-599-0801