JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- In more than a decade of Jacksonville women's lacrosse, one player stands alone as the greatest draw specialist to ever do it. Less than halfway into her senior season, draw specialist Abby Moran became the school's all-time leader in draw controls.

She tallied 16 wins, giving her 407 career draw controls, breaking Molly Brock's school record of 405. Moran's excellence highlighted a 13-8 win for the Dolphins to close out the opening weekend of conference play. 

"I don't think there's appropriate words to describe what she means to us or to describe her," head coach Tara Singleton said. "She's so selfless in her approach, she's competitive, she's driven. She'll literally forgo reps upon reps of playing just to work on her craft. We're lucky to have her in a Jacksonville uniform."

Moran and the draw unit was on fire out of the gates, winning the first six draw controls of the game. 

The scoreboard was a different story, as the Royals raced out to an early 4-1 lead. Junior Maeve Brennan potted a goal on the woman-up, but it was the visitors who controlled the opening phase of play.

Senior Olivia Johnson broke up the Royals run with a goal, then Johnson found sophomore Shea Hagans to make it a one-goal game at the end of the first quarter.

Jacksonville's offense shook off any rust in the second quarter. Brennan scored under a minute into the period, the first of six second quarter goals for JU. Brennan turned quarterback to find junior Jessica Giller for a goal.

One minute later, sophomore Chloe Luther deked past her defender adn fooled the goalie for her second goal of the season.

Brennan found junior Julia Nicholson for back-to-back goals to keep the offense rolling for the Dolphins. Immediately off the ensuing draw control, Moran pushed it down the field and dished it to senior Ainsley Scruggs for another goal.

Scruggs's finish capped off an 8-0 run to blow the game wide open for Jacksonville. The Royals rallied to end the first half, potting a pair of late goals to cut the lead to three at the break.

That momentum carried into the second half for Queens as they scored the first two goals of the second half to cut the lead down to one. Jacksonville continued to capitalize on the woman-up, with Giller scoring a free-position goal. 

Brennan took it herself to close the third, dodging through the middle of the field for her third goal of the day.

Jacksonville played its sharpest defense in the final quarter, holding the Royals scoreless to secure the win. Giller and Brennan added late goals in the fourth to extend the Dolphins lead to five to close the game.

Game Notes

• Moran broke Brock's record in 19 fewer games played.
• Moran has secured at least eight draw controls in every game this season. She's averaging 12.37 per game this season, on pace to break her own school record for draw controls in a single-season.
• Brennan led the team with seven points (4G, 3A). She has 13 points in her last two games, the highest scoring two-game stretch of her career.
• Giller posted her third game this season with at least five points, scoring three and assisting two.

Head Coach Tara Singleton
On strong start in conference play
"I really value the start that we had in our conference. It's challenging, everybody comes here and wants to beat us. So I'm very proud to walk away from this weekend with two solid wins."

On Moran's impact early in the game
"It helps us a ton. Anytime we can gain any type of possession, that favors our hands a little bit more. When they went on a run, it was helpful to be able to respond back with an opportunity to get the draw and then play a little offense after it.

Up Next
The Dolphins will travel north for one of the most challenging stretches of the ASUN season. Jacksonville starts its journey with its first ever conference tilt against the Delaware Blue Hens Thursday at noon.