JACKSONVILE, Fla. – For all 4,313 fans in attendance and viewers across the nation, the 2019 Moe's Lacrosse Classic proved an instant classic as the Jacksonville University men's lacrosse team battled for 60 minutes against Michigan, but the visiting Wolverines managed to escape D.B. Milne Field in the final seconds with an 11-10 decision.

"Today was much bigger than just a lacrosse game. We had an opportunity to play on the first nationally broadcast game in Jacksonville history, and in front of one of the largest crowds we have ever had. The result wasn't what we had hoped, but that is less important than the big picture," stated head coach John Galloway.

"I asked our guys to do two things this game: one, let everyone in the country know we aren't afraid to play toe to toe with the best in Division I and two, to make our alumni proud, who have been going through a lot this week with the loss of one of our brothers. I thought we achieved those two challenges."

Down 5-3 at the half, Jacksonville took the challenge to heart and used a three-goal run to tie the game at 6. Freshman Bo BowHunter found sophomore Jeremy Winston with 11:46 on the clock and just 31 seconds later, BowHunter recorded his second point of the game, capitalizing on a feed from senior Eric Applegate. A native of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Applegate notched the equalizer with 9:18 in the third to give the Dolphins a spark.

Michigan regained the lead with three of the final four goals of the quarter, thanks to the hot hand of Alex Buckanavage, who assisted on two and scored the third on a man-up opportunity to keep the visitors ahead, 9-7.

Not to be deterred, the Dolphins bounced back with back-to-back unassisted goals from redshirt-junior Hayden La Vangie (10:12) and Applegate (9:05) to open the final 15 minutes. Jacksonville held Michigan scoreless for just over four minutes before Justin Gibbons lifted UM with 5:55 showing. The lead didn't last long, however, as sophomore Jack Dolan dished to redshirt-junior Evan Tyler to tie the game for the third time, 10-10.

In the waning minutes, Michigan tacked on the go-ahead goal and, despite a point-blank shot on the crease from Dolan that was turned away by UM goalie Tommy Heidt, the Wolverines found a way to fend off the Dolphins' fourth-quarter rally, 11-10.

Led by Applegate's four points (3 goals, 1 assist) and BowHunter's three (2g, 1a), Jacksonville peppered Heidt with shots – 42 to Michigan's 33. However, it was Heidt who kept the Wolverines in the game with a season-high 15 saves, including five in the final quarter.

Dolphin goalie Hunter Sells recorded 10 saves in the effort and picked up three ground balls, while sophomore Dixon Smith (3 ground balls, 2 caused turnovers) and classmate Jeremy Winston (2 GBs, 2 CTs) posted a combined effort of five loose balls and four forced turnovers.

"Now, we go back to work with a new challenge to bear Drexel next Saturday and take another step forward," added Galloway. "I'm proud of our team and I'm proud to be their coach. I look forward to going back to work on Monday."