JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In a heavily anticipated Southern Conference matchup, the Jacksonville University men's lacrosse team battled league leader Richmond but came up short, 14-8, Saturday afternoon at D.B. Milne Field.
 
"Today was an amazing lesson for our team on the importance of accountability and humility. Richmond took advantage of our immaturity and miscues throughout the game. As a coaching staff, we have to improve our ability to hold players accountable and as a team, learn how to respond in the midst of adversity," commented head coach John Galloway.
 
Making his debut in the green and white, junior Alex Giovinco held the advantage at the face off X and won 8-of-9 in the opening quarter to set the tone. The Maryland transfer finished the day 16-of-25 on the day for a .640 FO win percentage.
 
Facing a 3-0 deficit early on, the Dolphins countered with back-to-back goals from freshman Bo BowHunter (7:30) and senior captain Eric Applegate (6:48) to cut the Spiders' lead to one, 3-2.
 
Sparked by a jaw-dropping hustle play as redshirt-sophomore Tommy Barnhorst scooped a ground ball near the sideline, tossed it to Applegate, and ended up in the Adirondack chairs on the sideline, the Dolphins countered one final Spider goal in the quarter. With a hand in the final two goals of the first, junior Jack Dolan dished his first of three assists to junior Jeremy Winston (4:47) before he finished high off the restart to tie the game at four.

The Dolphins battled in the second quarter and came within one, 6-5, on an Evan Tyler unassisted mark at 3:52, but the visitors capped the half with a pair of goals to lead 8-5 at halftime.
 
Despite a combined 11 saves by redshirt-junior goalie Hunter Sells in the second and fourth quarters, Richmond doubled up the Dolphins for the final 14-8 tally. Dolan (1g, 3a) and Tyler (3g, 1a) finished the day with a team-high four points, as Tyler added five ground balls and two caused turnovers. Freshmen Jack Heed posted a team-high six ground balls, while classmate Zack Deaken totaled two ground balls and caused three Spider turnovers.
 
Added Galloway, "The next three games are an opportunity for us to look in the mirror and decide what type of team we want to be. Without the performances of Hunter Sells and Alex Giovinco in the middle of the field, this game could have been a lot worse. I was so impressed with both of those young men keeping their poise as the game got chaotic and delivering big time performances.
 
"On Monday, we will get back to work as we prepare for a huge conference game in Virginia. I am eager to see how this group responds with our backs against the wall."
 
Richmond was led by Ryan Lanchbury's seven points (6g, 1a), while Blake Goodman (2 saves) and Jack Rusbuldt (8 saves) split time in the crease for the win.
 
The Dolphins head north next weekend when they visit VMI on Saturday, April 13 at noon.