JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- The Dolphins opened the women's lacrosse season with a 14-8 win over the Campbell Camels Saturday afternoon at Rock Stadium. This is JU's fifth win in the season opener all time.

The Dolphins (1-0) were led by senior Olivia Johnson, who set a new career high with six points (5G, 1A). She was one of six goal scorers on the day for Jacksonville.

Junior Jessica Giller got the first goal of the season for JU, scoring from close range on a free-position attempt. The Camels raced off three goals of their own, taking a 3-1 lead in the first quarter.

The Dolphins got back on their roll thanks to Johnson's first goal of the day, finishing off a pass inside from sophomore Chloe Luther. Sixty-five seconds later, Jacksonville tied it up as senior Ainsley Scruggs buried her first of the season off an assist from sophomore Maeve Brennan.

Defense dominated the game, as both sides brought physicality to the defensive end. Neither team found the back of the net for the next 18 minutes and nine seconds, before Johnson took it herself to break the deadlock and the drought. 

Jacksonville's defense shut out the Camels in the second quarter, and Brennan scored her first of the season to give JU a 5-3 halftime edge.

The offenses came to life in the third quarter. It started in the draw circle, where senior Abby Moran won the first three draws of the second half. Sophomore Shae Hagans scored the first goal of her second college season off an assist from Johnson.

After a Campbell goal, Johnson turned scorer, potting her third of the day off a dish from Giller. The Camels scored back-to-back goals to cut the lead to one, though, with 7:24 in the third. Moran got the ball back from the draw circle, then junior Maddie Herman found fellow junior Allyx Berry for a goal. 

Hagans got her second of the night to put the Dolphins up three with just over a minute left in the third. That momentum carried into the fourth quarter. Jacksonville started the quarter on a man-advantage, and Johnson cashed in with her fourth of the game.

Giller added two more, scoring off of free-position shots with the Dolphins a player up on the field. The Dolphins added two late goals for good measure, with Johnson completing her five-spot and Berry burying a second from the eight-meter line.

Game Notes

• Johnson's five goals are the most in a JU season opener since Ashtyn Hiron scored five against Michigan in 2018.
• Sophomore goalie Elia Alewine made her first career start, making nine saves at 52%.
• Giller finished with five points (3G, 2A), tying her career high.
• Moran finished with 12 draw controls. Dating back to last season, she's recorded double-digit draw controls in six of her last seven games.

Head Coach Tara Singleton
On winning the season opener
"I'm proud of the girls, there's so much to be really proud of. I like a lot of what I saw, and I'm really excited about working through some of the kinks. But to have six different scorers and six different assisters, that's pretty phenomenal. To have Elia go in there, get her first start and make nine saves, that's pretty awesome."

On Olivia Johnson's performance
"She is somebody we've been giving that push to turn the corner, be a threat, because she's a dual threat. She can feed, she can score. I think she took full advantage today."

On Elia Alewine's first career start
"I'm so proud of her. It's a big job. I think she kept it as neutral as possible and her play showed because of that."

Up Next
After an early bye week, the Dolphins will be back at Rock Stadium Saturday, Feb. 21 against the Rider Broncs. Opening draw is slated for noon.