JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Whether going downhill or attacking from behind goal-line extended, there's nothing Jacksonville junior Maeve Brennan couldn't do as she led the Dolphins to a 10-6 win over the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Thursday afternoon.

The Rochester, New York, native scored half of Jacksonville's goals and finished with six total points.

Brennan put the Dolphins up two goals after 62 seconds of action. She buried her first off an assist from senior Ainsley Scruggs. Senior defender Maggie Cuddy won the ensuing draw control, going right at the goal before passing it off to Brennan for a goal.

The Chanticleers would get one back, but the first quarter belonged to Jacksonville. Scruggs took it herself for a goal, then senior Maddi Santini took a pass from junior Jessica Giller for another JU goal.

After another Dolphins draw control, Scruggs found Brennan for a slick behind-the-back goal to complete her first-quarter hat-trick and give JU a 5-1 first quarter lead.

The second quarter was all defense. The teams combined for 14 shots and just two goals, both from Coastal Carolina. Even with the scoreless second, Jacksonville took a 5-3 lead into the second half.

The offense came back to life early in the third. Giller found Brennan for a quick goal, then Brennan turned playmaker to find senior Olivia Johnson for another Dolphins goal. Brennan danced by the defense for her fifth-goal of the day, tying her career high.

Scruggs dodged and fired off a shot for her second of the day, capping off a 4-0 JU run to open the second half. The Chanticleers scored with six minutes left in the quarter to end the run, but neither team would see the scoresheet until the fourth quarter.

Coastal Carolina scored first in the fourth, cutting the lead back down to four. Sophomore Shae Hagans got one back for the Dolphins, gliding past defenders and getting to the middle for a goal. 

The Chanticleers scored one more late, but it was too little too late as Jacksonville's defense held on to secure the win.

Game Notes

• The Dolphins are a perfect 17-0 in program history in conference season openers.
• Brennan has tallied at least five points in three games this season.
• Senior draw specialist Abby Moran tallied nine draw controls. She is 14 draw controls away from tying the school's all-time record of 405 set by Molly Brock.
• Senior defender Courtney Quirk led the team in ground balls (four) and caused turnovers (three).

Head Coach Tara SIngleton
On Opening ASUN Play With A Win
"I'm thrilled to open up conference play against a really challenging opponent and walk away with a win. I think there were a lot of really high highs and a lot of things to be proud of."

On Brennan's Performance
"Maeve has such a great skill set to be able to feed and to be able to finish. I think when she lets the game come to her, finds the gaps and makes the right play, she's pretty unstoppable."

On Defensive Showing
"That group is really bought into whatever I've presented in front of them. We've played man, we've played zone, and their willingness to try and change it up and do whatever is needed in the moment is pretty special. They take care of each other.

Up Next
The Dolphins will be back in action Saturday when they host the Queens Royals for another conference clash. Opening draw is scheduled for noon.