JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After a historic four-goal first half, the Jacksonville Dolphins powered their way past rival UNF, 4-3.
Sunday evening's goal scoring was the most goals ever scored by JU during a River City Rumble matchup, pushing JU to a 5-5-4 record and 3-2-2 record in ASUN play. Dating back to last season, the Dolphins are unbeaten in three matchups with UNF, holding a 2-0-1 record and a 2-0 record on the road.
All four of JU's goals were scored in the opening frame, led off by
Saki Sanno. Sanno took a free kick, and using a little bit of wind inside Hodges Stadium, lifted the ball over the outstretched arms of the Osprey keeper in the fifth minute.
UNF answered with a penalty kick score just minutes later, tying the game at 1-1 until
Olivia Peal found the back of the net for her first of the season.
Off a play by
Millie Urquhart in the box, Peal squeezed in a ball on the right post to give Jacksonville a lead it never relinquished.
Peal's score found the net in the 29
th minute and moments later,
Sofía Aguayo hummed one in of her own in the 32
nd to give Jacksonville a commanding 3-1 advantage.
Keeping the trend of scoring on free kicks,
Lina Ballmann took a free position from far outside of the box and right in front of the visiting bench. Her looping ball hit the turf in front of the Osprey defense and bounced up and over every available defender to find the back of the net.
At halftime, JU held a 4-1 lead.
UNF found some momentum in the second half, scoring in the 52
nd and 77
th minutes but could not find an equalizer.
Jacksonville finished the game with a heavy advantage in shots, 17-10. The Dolphins also had a slight edge in shots on target, 7-6.
In terms of goal scoring, Sanno scored her fourth of the season and second in as many games. The sophomore Sanno now has three goals in her past four ASUN contests. She is tied for the team lead in goals scored.
For Aguayo, she scored her second of the season and second in ASUN play.
Peal and Ballmann each scored their first of the year. Peal has had recent success playing against UNF, scoring once and assisting once in her last time out against UNF at home in Southern Oak.
Urquhart's assist was her first of the year, while
Paula Herranz earned her third assist of the season and second on conference. Herranz and Sanno are tied for the team lead in assists.
In net,
Taylor Gardner went the distance and collected a trio of saves in her 11
th appearance of the season.
Sunday's result snapped a two-game ASUN losing and kept JU square in the middle of the ASUN Tournament conversation. Jacksonville holds the fourth overall spot in the standings but is third overall in points.
The 'Phins have a chance to keep their momentum with a three-game homestand to end the regular season. Jacksonville plays host to ASUN-leading FGCU on Thursday, Oct. 22. First kick for the rematch between the Eagles and the Dolphins is set for 5 p.m.
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