JU “Waffles” Michigan in Overtime
Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in Uncategorized.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Freshman Ari Waffle took a pass from Cam Mann and scored the winning goal with 3:12 to play in overtime as Jacksonville University beat Michigan 9-8 at D.B. Milne Field here Friday.
For Waffle, from Manlius, N. Y., the goal was his third of the day and eighth for the year tying him with midfielder Mann for the team lead as JU got the Lacrosse-athon Weekend off to a winning start.
Mann, from Ontario, Can., got the team ignited after the Dolphins (2-2) began play listlessly. He scored his first goal with 6:59 to play in the third quarter and followed that with another 20 seconds later. He hit his third at the 6:06 mark.
“The guys look to me to lead and it’s good they could jump on my back and get the W,” Mann said. “It’s always tough playing a new team (Michigan is in its first year) because they don’t quit.”
JU coach Guy Van Arsdale wasn’t too pleased with the early showing.
“Early on we did not match their intensity; they came out much more excited to play than we did and they played hard,” he said. “If it were not for Cameron Mann, we would not have won this game. He was making plays all over the field, not just the goals and assists (Mann had a pair), but all over the field. He was the difference in the game, he was the best player on the field.”
In fact, the Wolverines came out with a roar and pulled out to a 3-0 lead before JU found itself. Conor Igoe scored with :42 to play in the quarter and Waffle opened the second quarter with a score.
Once freshman midfielder Rob Wertz and Waffle tied the score at 4, the teams played even the remainder of the game. Donovan Lang also scored for the Dolphins.
JU plays again Sunday at 3:30 p.m. against Holy Cross, the third of a trifecta of games that day.
Michigan will meet Mercer at 10 a.m. followed by the JU women taking on St. Joseph’s (Pa.).
All games will be broadcast on laxx.tv free of charge.