CHARLOTTE, N.C - The Jacksonville women's lacrosse team (7-8, 5-0 ASUN) defeated Queens University Charlotte (9-7, 3-2 ASUN), 10-7, at Dickson Field on Saturday. Despite a back-and-forth scoring battle, seven different Dolphins found the net, and a five-goal second quarter propelled them to victory to secure their fourth consecutive win. The win also kept the Dolphins unbeaten in conference play.  

SCORING LEADERS 

GOALS: Maddie Herman (3), Ainsley Scruggs (2) 

GROUND BALLS: Kaila Stasulli (4), Riley Dash (3), Maggie Foster (2), Maggie Cuddy (2) 

DRAW CONTROLS: Lauren Ellis (4), Kaila Stasulli (3) 

The opening quarter of the ASUN conference matchup between the Dolphins and the Royals was marked by tight defensive play. The game remained scoreless for 10 minutes until Maddie Herman scored the first goal with 5:42 left in the quarter. Queens quickly equalized, but Herman came back to score a shorthanded goal, which gave the Dolphins a 2-1 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

The momentum from Herman's goals carried into the second quarter, as the Dolphins pulled ahead with five more goals in nine minutes. Allyx Berry, Maggie Cuddy, Brianna Samuels, LaRen Blakesley, and Herman all contributed, giving Jacksonville a 7-3 advantage with 6:31 remaining before halftime. Queens managed to cut the lead to three, ending the second quarter with a 7-4 score. 

After a weather delay in the third quarter, the Dolphins resumed their scoring spree. Ainsley Scruggs, The Dolphins second leading scorer, found the back of the net, extending the Dolphins' lead to 8-4 with 3:31 left in the quarter. Mackenzie Boyle added another goal before the quarter ended, resulting in a 9-5 score heading into the final period. 

Queens mounted a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, scoring two goals to close the gap. However, Scruggs scored again to maintain the Dolphins' lead, ensuring a 10-7 victory and solidifying Jacksonville's first-place position in the Atlantic Sun Conference. 

COACH'S COMMENTS

"Causing turnovers, (Cuddy with four, Dash with three) and getting stops on defense gave us the opportunity to get it done offensively," said head coach Tara Singleton. "Maddie Herman took charge early and provided the boost we needed to secure the win today. Clinching a spot in the ASUN tournament was a goal from the start (of the season), and I'm proud of this group for achieving it!"

UP NEXT  

The Dolphins will travel to Lynchburg, Virginia to face-off with Liberty and conclude the 2024 regular season. The game is set for Saturday, April 27 and will begin at 1 p.m. 

ADDITIONAL NOTES 

• The Dolphins won the draw control battle 11-8. 
• Outshooting Queens 24-16, Jacksonville University finished with 19 shots on goal.