JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In a rematch of last year's NCAA Tournament meeting, the Jacksonville University women's lacrosse team battled through a physical game, but ultimately fell to No. 8 Michigan in the 2020 season opener, 10-8, Sunday afternoon at D.B. MIlne Field. 

"After beating two top-25 teams in the fall and truly competing evenly with the No. 8 team, we know what we can do and we have a lot to learn from. We're disappointed in not picking up the win, but much of that was not in our hands. Two goals that were taken back in the second half were pivotal. Our attack would have played a lot better had those goals not been waved off," noted head coach Mindy McCord following the game. 

Unlike last year's postseason matchup with the Wolverines, today's game featured nearly triple the number of cards handed out, from six last year to 17 between the teams this afternoon and a total of 57 fouls whistled. Noting the surge of cards during the game, McCord added, "It was tough to get anything going with 17 cards. It was a strange situational game, but we will improve and move ahead."

Making her return to the turf following an injury sidelined her all last season, junior Sarah Elms posted a hat trick – all on free-position shots – and added a pair of caused turnovers to highlight the Dolphins' offense. Additionally, senior Alexis Deaken (1 goal, 1 assist) sophomore Molly Brock (2 goals) both posted two points in the effort.

The Dolphins (0-1) knocked in four of the first five goals of the game, including Elms' first two free-position goals (26:33, 16:14), to take an early 4-1 lead in the first half. While a four-goal Michigan run from 15:25 to 10:59 surged the visitors to a 5-4 lead, Brock buried her second goal of the game to tie things once more at 9:33. Jacksonville and Michigan traded free-position goals to end the half, as senior McKenna Rushford's tally with 14 seconds remaining deadlocked the game at the break, 6-6.

Opening the second half, Michigan regained the lead with back-to-back goals from Chandler Kirby (28:11) and Kaley Thompson (26:27). Just 40 seconds later, Jacksonville answered back as Deaken buried a shot from the 8-meter line at 25:43. Later in the half, Elms snuck in her third and final goal of the game to tied things up for the fourth time. However, the Wolverines were able to capitalize on shots from Kirby (11:40) and Nadine Stewart (5:21) down the stretch to take home the 10-8 decision.

Making her collegiate debut in goal, freshman Addy Tysdal had an outstanding performance with eight saves.

Tysdal's counterpart Arielle Weissman collected seven saves, while Kirby, Garrett, and Caitlin Muir all tallied a pair of goals for Michigan.

The Dolphins return to action on Friday, Feb. 14 when they welcome Oregon to D.B. Milne Field. Opening draw is set for 7 p.m.