JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – Jacksonville Women's Lacrosse claimed their fifth ASUN Championship in a row and eighth all time on Saturday afternoon when they took down the Liberty Flames by a score of 20-12.

The win not only marks Jacksonville's fifth title in a row, but also their eighth out of nine total Championships held, and their third straight against Liberty. The eight-goal win also marks Jacksonville's largest margin of victory in the ASUN Championship since their 15-5 win over Detroit Mercy in 2015.

Starting out in a similar fashion to this year's regular season victory over Liberty, the Dolphins struggled to find the back of the net early on and would find themselves behind by one early in the first quarter.

Fortunately, that would be the only time the Flames would hold a lead in the match as the Dolphins finally broke through with two and a half minutes remaining in quarter one, evening the score at one apiece. They would then add another goal under a minute later moving into the lead which they would never relinquish, and after one the score would read 2-1 in favor of the 'Phins.

JU then had arguably one of their best quarters of the season in the second as they went on to score eleven goals while holding Liberty to just three. Grace Hobson led the way in the quarter as she would claim a hat trick, while also receiving scoring support from a large group of her teammates including Lauren Craft and Alyssa Arnold who both added two goals in the quarter.

Following the high-scoring quarter, the Dolphins would head into the half with a comfortable nine goal lead (13-4).

The two teams would then play another fairly even quarter in third, with both JU and Liberty scoring four goals apiece. Alyssa Arnold would add another two goals in the frame stretching her total to four, her most goals in a match this season.

After Liberty scored the opening goal of the fourth quarter, the Dolphins would then go on another small scoring run notching three goals in a row, stretching their lead to eleven (20-9). Liberty would come right back with their own three-goal run but it would not be much help and after 60 minutes the score read 20-12 in favor of Jacksonville.

A majority of the scoring in the match came from not the usual duo of Jenny Kinsey and Sarah Elms, but a three headed attack of Lauren Craft (4G), Alyssa Arnold (4G) and Grace Hobson (3G) who combined for eleven goals in the match. Craft also joined Arnold in notching her season high for goals in a game while Hobson tied her season high of three.

Defensively, the entire unit played well with both Maddie Sturgell and Casey Sullivan leading the way with three caused turnovers apiece. Sullivan, who was named a member of the All-Tournament Team, also added three draw controls on the day finishing the tournament with an impressive stat line of five caused turnovers, four draw controls, and one ground ball.

On the draw Molly Brock was once again outstanding, recording her second highest total of the season with ten. She also finished one away from tying the ASUN Championship record for draw control's in a game which she currently holds in a tie with former 'Phin Ashtyn Hiron at 11.

Both Dolphin keepers saw action in the match again with Paige Pagano claiming the start and win while also making seven saves. Pagano's tournament stat line of 14 saves and 12 goals allowed was good enough to make her the ASUN Championship Tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Thoughts From Head Coach Mindy McCord

"It feels great, it was just a very team-oriented game. We talk a lot about one team, one win at a time, and how one person doesn't win a game it takes a whole team effort… and I think that's what you saw today on the sideline, (a team effort) all the way from the substitutions to the players."

"We were strong in grabbing draw possessions and the defense really was able to hold the score early so we could find our shooting groove."

ASUN ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM SELECTIONS

1. Midfield – Molly Brock
2. Attack – Lauren Craft
3. Attack – Sarah Elms
4. Defense – Casey Sullivan
5. Goalkeeper and ASUN Tournament MVP – Paige Pagano

UP NEXT

With their automatic bid to the 2022 NCAA Tournament, the Dolphins now look to tomorrow's selection show where they will find out their first-round opponent and also where and when they will be playing. The selection show will start at 9 pm and will air on ESPN U.

GAME NOTES

• Dolphins claim fifth ASUN Championship in a row, eighth all time, and third in a row over Liberty.
• Dolphins advance to NCAA Tournament play for eighth time.
• Alyssa Arnold and Lauren Craft both score four goals in the match, both their season high.
• Molly Brock records second most draw controls in a game this season with 10 (High of 12 vs ECU).
• Elms, Brock, Craft, Sullivan, and Pagano all make the All-Tournament Team with Pagano taking home MVP.