DURHAM, N.C. --- The Jacksonville Dolphins played their third ranked opponent in four weeks, falling to the No. 7 Duke Blue Devils 16-10 Saturday afternoon. The Dolphins (1-3) were led by sophomore Daylin John-Hill who scored three goals on four shots.

The first half was a tight battle, with the Dolphins tied most of the way. John-Hill put Jacksonville on the board first, slipping into open grass and taking his time before slotting it past the goalie.

The Blue Devils would get one back minutes later, starting the first half's back and forth. After another Duke goal, Jacksonville would tie the game at two. It started with a loose ball scrum won by graduate student Bryce Wojnovich. 

He pushed it over to senior Nicky Brown who slung it across the field to John-Hill on the crease for another goal. The Blue Devils would find the answer, though, re-taking a one goal lead. 

After a defensive stop, Wojnovich pushed it in transition again, finding John-Hill all along for his third goal of the quarter and tying the game at three.

The Dolphins struck first in the second quarter, with senior Jack Taylor beating his man up top and ripping a shot past the net-minder. After another Blue Devils goal, freshman Zane Czeschin game roaring out of the box, and ripped a shot past the goalie with a head of steam to tie the game at five.

Duke would re-take the lead, and Brown would be the one to bring Jacksonville back, dodging a short-stick and wrapping a shot around his defender and past the goalie. The Blue Devils would re-take the lead. 

After the Dolphins narrowly missed a late transition goal, Duke tacked on one more with seconds to play. The Blue Devils took an 8-6 lead into the second half. 

Jacksonville responded after another Duke goal to open the third thanks to Taylor. He got to the middle again, ripping a rocket past the goalie stick-side high. The Blue Devils pushed their lead to three, 10-7, before North Carolina native Tate Jones brought JU back with a clean solo finish from the righty wing.

Duke would restore their three-goal lead then add two more to start the fourth quarter. Freshman Parker Addison would stop the run, getting topside on a short-stick from below goal line for the finish.

The Blue Devils would push their lead as much as six goals into the fourth quarter. The Dolphins got one final goal from sophomore long pole Lucas Fraser, the third of his career, but would fall 16-10.

Game Notes

• John-Hill has recorded a point against every ranked team he's played in his career.
• Junior faceoff specialist Drew Rippeon grabbed a team-high 10 ground balls.
• The Dolphins have had at least three points from freshmen in every game this season.

Head Coach John Galloway
"Today was obviously a disappointing outcome, but one that comes with great excitement as we move forward. We didn't handle our emotions well early, but we also showed the ability to stay in the fight despite not playing crisp lacrosse. 

I am proud of the effort we show, but now it is our job to marry it with execution. I thought we were led by our young core of Daylin John Hill, Zane Czeschin, Josh Hedderich and Grant Maloney. I believe they earned the trust of our older guys, and you can see their confidence growing. I believe our guys will come back to work this week with a clear purpose as we prepare for rival High Point."

Up Next
The Dolphins will play their second neutral-site tilt of the season, facing off against the rival High Point Panthers Saturday, Feb. 28 at the South Georgia Showdown. Faceoff is slated for 2 PM from Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia.