An abundance of gray clouds gathered over Southern Oak Stadium and rain violently started to pour. Puddles began to form in various spots, as the players' jerseys collected mud from sliding across the field. Jacksonville University men's soccer was competing against the FGCU Eagles for the ASUN championship title, and FGCU held a 2-0 lead throughout the first half. As the clock began to wind down and the rain fall grew more aggressive, the programs took shelter before the game was eventually suspended after the first half.  

After a three-hour rain delay, the field was declared unplayable and the contest was postponed until the next day. With a new day came a fresh start and a new opportunity for the Dolphins to capture the ASUN title.  

Despite having to wait another day to compete, senior captain Connar Lufkin and the team were prepared to take the field regardless of the start time. 

"The team felt really confident in our ability to rebound because we had done it so much already that year. To us it didn't matter if it restarted that night or not," Lufkin said. " We knew FGCU was not happy about having to restart and were going to come out hungrier than before."

The new match began in a quieter fashion for both teams, as the game remained scoreless going into halftime. JU broke the silence when the Dolphins earned a free kick at the 60 minute mark, where Alex Salvador served a pass into the box that Nil Ringstrand headed onto Lufkin to redirect a shot past FGCU's all-conference goalkeeper to get on the board first, 1-0. Seven minutes later, Lufkin scored again, this time on a pass by Cao Chaves to extend the Dolphins lead. 

Just over 20 minutes remained in the game and rumbling from the Dolphins bench increased. Once the final whistle blew, the athletes and coaches ran to the middle of the field to hoist JU's newest piece of hardware. 

After scoring two goals and three throughout the entire ASUN Conference tournament, Lufkin was crowned tournament MVP. Chaves, Ringstrand, Olivier Correa and Reed Davis joined Lufkin on the All-Tournament team for their outstanding efforts on the field.

" It was a surreal moment when we had officially won," Lufkin said. "I remember being in a similar situation my freshman year when we met FGCU in the ASUN Championship, but it ended with a loss despite us coming back to tie the game." 

The win guaranteed the Dolphins a spot in the NCAA Tournament, where JU drew American University in the first round. JU was able to rally from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game and force overtime. The Dolphin defense held American scoreless through two overtime periods, but the season came to an end on penalty kicks. 

There was no time to dwell on the emotional ending to the season. In just a few short months, the team was preparing to compete for another full campaign. Each player had the option to return after gaining a year of eligibility due to the coronavirus pandemic. Lufkin, a veteran leader on the team, was in senior standing during the spring 2021 campaign and it was not immediately clear if he, or other graduates would return. 

"The seniors knew the door was always open for them to come back, and we had several conversations about it," head coach Mauricio Ruiz said. "I think losing to American left a chip on their shoulder and they have the desire to try and make it back and advance." 

Ultimately, almost all of the key pieces from the championship team elected to return for the fall season. Several veterans on the team including Lufkin,  ASUN first-team all conference selections; Chavez, Correa, Davis and second-team selection Ringstrand, are expected to lead the Dolphins on the field. 

This means Lufkin, a third year captain,  will serve his sixth and final year of the program. 

"We had a few sit down meetings after the season ended, but the last one where I sat down with Mauricio and coach Tom (Buckner) is when I decided I wanted to come back," Lufkin said. "Knowing it's my last season, I am going into it with no regrets and I am going to give it everything that I have." 

After its success in the 2021 spring season, Jacksonville was selected to win the ASUN conference again in the fall. Additionally, Davis was tabbed player of the year. Correa and Ringstrand made the ASUN Preseason All-Conference team, with Correa standing as the only unanimous selection. 

As JU heads into conference play to defend its title, it is no secret the Dolphins are targeted as the team to defeat. 

"I think it's human nature to feel good about being recognized. I think the seniors who have been here for a while who have been picked last feel that they have a responsibility to do well," Ruiz said. "But we still challenge the guys to hold themselves to a high standard and get better each and every game." 

With limited time between the two seasons, the Dolphins have been forced to adapt quickly due to injuries and a challenging non-conference schedule. 

JU will pick up where it left off and face FGCU to kickoff conference play. This will mark the eighteenth meeting between the two teams, the Eagles lead the matches with a 12-5 record against the Dolphins. 

The start of conference play brings another opportunity for the Dolphins. For those like Lufkin who are in their last year, it is a great way to make a statement one last time. 

"I think each year I was in the program we continued to build and just get better and better," Lufkin said. "I want to be the guy that is known for leaving everything he had on the field and the program in better shape than before." 

The Dolphins travel to compete against the Eagles in Fort Myers on Saturday, Sept. 18. Official start time is slated for 6:00 p.m. 

"We know winning the conference is no easy task and we plan to focus on one game at a time," Ruiz said. "There is still a lot of work to be done."