JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Jacksonville head coach Tara Singleton had to keep her sideline back as the team erupted. Junior midfielder Eloise Trafton's shot trickled just past the goalie and over the line, leading to a symphony of celebration to close out another successful night at Rock Stadium.

The Jacksonville Dolphins (8-3, 4-1 ASUN) defeated the Kennesaw State Owls (6-6, 1-2 ASUN) 19-6 Thursday afternoon. Jacksonville is a perfect 7-0 on home turf this season, defeating opponents by an average of 6.8 goals per game.

The Dolphins tied their season high for goals in a game with 19. Junior Maeve Brennan led the way with five tallies of her own. She was one of three Dolphins with five points on the day, with junior Jess Giller (1G, 4A) and senior Ainsley Scruggs (4G, 1A) matching the team-high mark.

Brennan had Jacksonville running fast, scoring a pair of goals in the first three minutes of the game. Sophomore Shae Hagans matched Brennan's rapid start, grabbing back-to-back goals of her own early in the first.

Scruggs buried a free-position opportunity to close the first with JU in front, 5-2.

The second quarter was more of the same as the Dolphins relentlessly attacked the Kennesaw goal. Scruggs buried her second to start the scoring, then senior Olivia Johnson snuck up the backside pipe for another JU tally.

The Owls would score three goals in the second quarter to try to make it a game, but the Jacksonville offense always had an answer. Freshman Paige Garguilo scored first, then in the dying seconds of the half, Giller flipped it Brennan who put it in the net with just one second left in the half.

Kennesaw scored first after the break, but the Dolphins would hold the Owls without a goal the rest of the night.

Hagans rifled a step-down shot on a free-position attempt for a goal to restore the five-goal advantage. Brennan got another, then junior Maddie Herman scored a solo effort to keep the 'Phins flying in the third.

Scruggs capped off a 4-1 third period with her third goal of the night, giving JU a commanding 14-6 advantage.

The ball was flying for Jacksonville as it finished off the game in the fourth quarter. Garguilo got her second on a free-position, then Giller took over with three straight points. She dodged hard and scored herself, then she found sophomore Isabella Porazzo and Scruggs in the soft spot for two more goals.

As the clock wound towards zero, junior Gabby Hendricks scanned the field and found Trafton. The goalie couldn't handle the ball as it dribbled over the line, leading to euphoric celebrations from the sideline and closing a great night of lacrosse for JU.

Game Notes

• With her five-goal game, Brennan surpassed 100 points for her career.
• Trafton's goal was the first of her career.
• Giller's been red-hot for the Dolphins, recording five points in each of her last four games.
• The Dolphins doubled the Owls on ground balls (18 vs. 9) and more than doubled on draw controls (17 vs. 8).

Head Coach Tara Singleton
On securing another win at home
"I'm really happy that we stayed to the task. We were working to do certain things that we were looking for in our scout. I think we had to adjust a little defensively to get some stop sphere, but eventually we got those stops. We battled at the draw control and eventually ran away with it, which is great to see. It's another great win in conference play."

On resilience of the team
"It's huge and it's something that we've been asking of them, and it's up to the choices they make on the field. Having a response to something and a solution to whatever's going on."

On players getting to make an impact for the first time
"I think you could tell by the excitement on the sideline, I had to push the sideline back a couple of times, but our team really wanted something special to happen for their teammates, and that's what it's all about."

Up Next
The Dolphins will host #15 Colorado Monday at noon for the penultimate game of the season at Rock Stadium.