FORT MEYERS, Fla. – On a rainy afternoon in south Florida, the Jacksonville Dolphins dropped their first conference match of the year, 3-2, to top ranked FGCU.
The Dolphins moved to 4-4-4 overall and 2-1-2 in ASUN play. Sunday's loss also dropped the 'Phins to 1-4-1 in road contests this season. Jacksonville is undefeated inside Southern Oak Stadium however with a 3-0-3 clip.
After a 90-minute lightning delay, things got under way in Fort Meyers and went the way of the home side first. FGCU scored in the 17
th minute to take an early lead, but that lead was quickly answered by a put back goal by the Dolphins.
Following a scrum around the net, senior defender
Ragna Magnúsdóttir punched in the ball off a ricochet to tie the game. It was Magnusdottir's second goal of the year and second in ASUN play. Sophomore
Claudia Perez Avila was credited with the assist, her second of the year and second straight game scoring or assisting for the 'Phins.
The 1-1 score held until halftime, with JU holding a slight advantage in shots, 7-6.
After half, FGCU went ahead out of the gate and added a late goal in the 78
th minute. The Dolphins did answer late, with a goal by defender Millie Uruqhart. Off a play across the face of the goalie by
Madelyn Radtke, Urquhart found nylon for her second goal of the year.
Both Urquhart and Magnusdottir are tied for second on the Dolphins in goals scored along with
Saki Sanno, trailing only
Julia Delprat's four goals scored.
Each side buried the other with shots all game. FGCU took the ultimate edge in shots, 14-11, and shots on goal slightly, 6-5. Sofia Aguayo was tied for the game lead in shots with four and led the 'Phins in the shots on goal department with a pair.
In net,
Taylor Gardner got the start and went the distance. She made three saves in her second straight ASUN start, moving to 1-1-1 in conference play.
Jacksonville and Lipscomb are tied for third overall across the conference landscape, looking up at UNF in second and FGCU still in first. JU has a chance to earn points toward its standing when it squares off against UWF on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 2 p.m. The game is a rescheduled date from earlier this season.
