JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A six-goal rally in the first half kept the Jacksonville University women's lacrosse team's win streak alive as the Dolphins defeated Furman, 18-12, for their seventh consecutive win, Sunday afternoon at D.B. Milne Field. The Dolphins improve to 8-2 on the year, while Furman drops to 4-6.

"Hats off to Furman for a strong run today. They had a great game plan that included some things we had not seen a lot of and that caused us to adjust," commented Associate Head Coach Paul McCord following the Dolphins' win. "Our defense started slow, but we kept [Furman's leading scorer] Grace Pollack off the goals column, which is hard to do; she's having a great year. Furman had a good plan and they are playing well; they'll be dangerous in the SoCon."

After trading goals in the opening minutes of the first half, the Dolphins faced a two-goal deficit with 13:18 left in the opening half. It didn't last long, however, as graduate student Hayley Ciklin sparked a 6-0 rally. With a pair of goals in the opening minutes, including the game's first just 19 seconds in, Ciklin notched her third (9:37) and fourth goals (6:43) to sandwich a pair of marks from the sophomore duo of Lauren Phillips (9:24) and Alyssa Arnold (7:03) for a 9-6 Dolphin lead at the half.

Jacksonville held an 11-5 advantage on draw controls in the first half, and framed 17 of their 19 shots on goal to pressure the visiting Paladins early and often. Freshman goalie Dayna Martinetto came up big with six saves to hold off Furman's 12 shots on net. The Manorville, N.Y. native matched her career-high with 13 saves.

Though the Paladins landed the first blow in the second half, Jacksonville didn't hesitate with a 5-0 run capped by a saucy, nearside wrap-around goal by Arnold with 13:03 to put the Dolphins up, 14-7.

The teams traded goals thereafter and despite scoring twice in the final 2:05, Furman was unable to muster an offensive spark and Jacksonville sealed its seventh-straight victory, 18-12.

Ciklin finished the day with a career-high seven points behind five goals and two assists, while Arnold (4g, 2a) and Phillips (4g, 1a) combined for eight goals. Junior McKenna Rushford won nine of JU's 19 draw controls, and freshman Molly Brock closed out the day with three draw controls, two ground balls, and two caused turnovers.

"Hayley Ciklin just continues to be on a tear in these first halves. With seven points in 41:39 helping us pull ahead to 13-7 was amazing; each game she makes improvements," McCord added. "Having two sophomores combine for 11 points on attack was good to see. McKenna Rushford was outstanding on the draw today; the sky is the limit for her as a lacrosse player. There could be better chemistry on the offensive side, but with merging transfers, upperclassmen, and younger players, it will be a work in progress the entire season."

Furman goalie Courtney Baker recorded 17 saves between the pipes, while Abby Shields (4g, 1a) and Kyra LaMotte (2g, 2a) combined for 10 of the Paladins' 17 points.
 
The Dolphins continue their six-game home stand next weekend against ASUN foe Coastal Carolina on Friday, April 5 at 7 p.m. and league newcomer Kent State on Sunday, April 7 at noon.