MACON, Ga. – The Jacksonville University women's lacrosse team (9-1) closed out their regular season with a stellar offensive performance to defeat Mercer University (5-7) on Sunday, May 2. 10 different Dolphins scored to contribute to the 20-6 victory.
"It was great to end the regular season on a strong note," said head coach Mindy McCord. "We were able to separate in the second half and really capitalize on our shots. Defense played another outstanding, consistent game holding Mercer to 11 shots. I am very proud of the team effort and being able to develop our depth was super important as we head into the conference tournament."
The Dolphins started the game in a very dominant fashion, as Grace Hobson put JU on the board after scoring within the first two minutes of competition. Quickly after, she would contribute an assist that led to a goal by Jenny Kinsey to give the Dolphins a speedy 2-0 lead.
At the 21:52 mark, Megan Prescott supplied a goal followed by another from Kinsey to make the score, 4-0. Mercer then responded with two goals from Hailey Rhatigan, to cut the Dolphins lead in half.
After a third goal from Mercer put the Bears within one, the Dolphins answered with back-to-back goals from Kinsey and Hobson to make the Dolphins lead 6-3, going into the second half. This goal would mark Kinsey's third of the game, making this her sixth hat trick performance of the season.
Kinsey continued her dominant outing to start the second half, as the scored within the first three minutes to put the Dolphins on top, 7-3. A goal from Mercer returned JU's lead to three, until Elms responded with another shot to double the Dolphins lead once again.
Emily Seiter scored the first goal of her JU career at the 20:54 mark on a free position shot to open up a 13-2 scoring run for the Dolphins.
Individual goals from Seiter and Zoe Macrae in addition to four goals from Elms within a five minute span, brought the score to 15-5. Elms has now scored five goals in each of the last three games and has four games five-goal games this season.
To increase the Dolphins already large lead, Lauren Phillips found the net for the second time, followed by a goal by Madeline Cloyd to make the score 17-5.
The last few minutes of the half consisted of back-to-back goals from Molly Brock and a goal by freshman Brianna Samuels to close out the game.
"It was great to close the regular season on a strong note as were able to separate in the second half and capitalize on our shots, additionally the defense played another outstanding game" head coach Mindy McCord said. "I am very proud of the team effort and being able to develop our depth as we head into the conference tournament."
Elms led the way on offense with five goals, one assist and a season-high of 12 shots. Kinsey followed closely behind with four goals, nine shots, eight of which were on goal. The game would mark Kinsey's fourth game with four or more goals this season.
Seiter's day consisted of recording three season-high statistics with two goals, two shots and two shots on goal. The game would make Hobson's eighth-straight contest with a goal, and Phillips recorded a season-high of shots and shots on goal with five for each.
The Dolphins will be back in action for the ASUN conference tournament in Kennesaw, Georgia starting Thursday, May 6. Their first match-up is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET against (4) Stetson (1-7).
