STATESBORO, Ga. --- The Dolphins bench erupted and stormed the artificial turf at Paulson Stadium, a euphoric scene for a Jacksonville team ready to celebrate. A day filled with moments to love, the best was the final whistle.

The Jacksonville Dolphins (2-3) defeated the High Point Panthers 18-7 Saturday afternoon on the campus of Georgia Southern in the South Georgia Showdown. Jacksonville has defeated rivals High Point five years in a row.

The Dolphins were led by their three-headed monster at attack. Senior Jack Taylor led the way with seven points (6G, 1A), while senior Nicky Brown (4G, 1A) and sophomore Daylin John-Hill (3G, 2A). 

Jacksonville got rolling early with a goal from sophomore Henry Fleckner, then Taylor started his six-goal day by finishing a John-Hill skip pass.

After a High Point goal, freshman Josh Hedderich caught the Panthers on a substitution, rolling into the open field towards the goal. He found Brown who put it home inside. Senior Tate Jones took a dodge from the high lefty wing, firing a shot high above his head and past the goalie.

The Dolphins led 4-1 early, but High Point would score two late in the first to make it 4-3 through one. Taylor got his second to open the second, but it wouldn't stop the Panthers run. 

The Panthers scored twice to tie the game at five, and after Brown put JU back on top, High Point had the answer to tie the game at six.

Taylor attacked down the wing firing off a shot. It ricocheted off the pipe and into the open field. Freshman Zane Czeschin was Johnny-on-the-spot as the ball landed right in front of him. He scooped the ground ball and started a JU run that would blow the game open.

Junior Will Krupsky dodged to the middle and looked ready to fire a shot, but he spotted Taylor all alone on the crease, passing it off to the senior for an easy finish.

Taylor did himself next time, sweeping inside and firing a shot while narrowly missing stick checks aplenty. The Dolphins took those three-straight goals and a 9-6 lead at halftime.

The second half continued Jacksonville's one-way traffic. John-Hill scored to open the half, and after a High Point goal, the Dolphins would hold the Panthers scoreless for the final 21 minutes and 59 seconds of game action.

John-Hill scored with a filthy backhand finish, then he found Brown for a goal on the man-up. Brown got another off a feed from Taylor to make it 13-7. Freshman Parker Addison dodged from behind the goal, beating his man and wrapping a shot past the goalie to double up the Panthers, 14-7.

With under a minute to play, Taylor put on Superman's cape to close the quarter in style. He got past one sliding defender with a toe-drag then spun past another crashing Panther before splashing home his fifth of the night.

John-Hill hit another one, then Taylor made it six as the Dolphins cruised into the fourth quarter. In the final minutes of the game, senior Drew Kessenich scored his first goal of the season to cap off a dominant night for the Dolphins.

Game Notes

• Jacksonville tallied 11 caused turnovers and forced 21 High Point giveaways.
• The Dolphins forced eight failed clears while going a perfect 19-19 on the clear.
• Eight different players saw the score sheet.
• The Dolphins will take home the River to the Ridge Rivalry Trophy for their win over the Panthers.

Head Coach John Galloway
"Obviously, today is a win that means a lot not to just our team, but to our program. This is a meaningful rivalry because of the respect we have for the High Point program. We came out a bit slow, but our leaders got us settled, and our attack led by Daylin John-Hill, Jack Taylor and Nicky Brown took over. 

I also want to credit our crows and tango scout groups. Throughout the week, they brought the fight to us, and their effort during the week led us to success on Saturday."

Up Next
The Dolphins will return home to face former ASUN foe Detroit Mercy on Saturday, March 7. Opening faceoff is slated for noon.