NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Jacksonville Dolphins are still fighting.

After an emotional penalty kick win over #3 North Alabama Thursday night, #2 Jacksonville women's soccer is on to the Atlantic Sun Semifinals against host, and top-seeded, Lipscomb University Sunday afternoon. 

JU and Lipscomb square off at Lipscomb Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. EST on ESPN+.

The Bisons (12-5-2, 7-2-1) are the highest remaining seed in the ASUN Tournament after #1 FGCU was ousted by #4 Bellarmine. Throughout the year, Lipscomb has demonstrated why it deserved to be ranked atop the gold division, winning five straight ASUN games before a 1-1 tie against North Alabama. Following the draw, Lipscomb rattled off two more wins before a pair of losses prior to tournament play.

Overall, Lipscomb has notched five shutout victories in conference play, and a 2-0 shutout win over #4 Queens to open the tournament.

Last season, the purple and gold went the distance and won the whole tournament, beating Bellarmine, Central Arkansas and EKU (which put out JU in 2024) to clinch the title and an NCAA Tournament berth. Lipscomb also won the tournament in 2021 and 2019.

Led by longtime head coach Kevin O'Brien, Lipscomb has placed itself among the best in the league every year. In 14 years under O'Brien, Lipscomb has lost just 23 games in conference play.

This year's squad is led by midfielder Hailey Johnson who is one of five players to have started in all 19 games for the Bisons. She leads the offensive charge with nine goals, five of which counted as game winners. Her goal scoring mark places her fourth in the league.

Johnson is buttressed by a pair of six-goal scorers in Bella Caparazza and Skylar Cole. Caparazza is also tied for a team-best seven assists with standout sophomore London De Fini.

Jacksonville and Lipscomb will both display high-powered offenses as the Bisons rank third in the ASUN in goals scored, second in shots and third in overall points. Jacksonville ranks first, third and second in those same categories. 

Nationally, the 'Phins are 10^th in points per game, fifth in total scoring offense, 20^th in shots per game, seventh in shots on goal per game, fifth in total goals and ninth in total points.

Defensively, Lipscomb is as tough as its offense. The Bisons allow less than one goal per game and limit teams to less than 10 total shots through 90 minutes.

Between the pipes for Sunday's home squad will be Kaïna Cesar. Cesar has started 15 games this year for the Bisons, allowing 13 goals with 48 saves. In nine conference games, Cesar has allowed just four goals total with a 7-1-1 record.

Jacksonville making it to the semifinals of the ASUN Tournament is a first for the school since the 2017 season when the Dolphins picked up a 2-0 win over Stetson, later falling 2-0 to FGCU.

If JU is victorious Sunday, the Dolphins will host the conference tournament as the highest remaining seed. It would be the first time in program history that the team would host the ASUN Tournament Championship.

The winner of Sunday's tilt will play the winner of #4 Bellarmine and #3 UNF in the championship game on Sunday, Nov. 9 on ESPN+. A time for the contest is yet to be determined.