BOULDER, Colo. --- A historic season for the Jacksonville Dolphins came to an end Friday night, as JU fell 10-9 to the eighth-seeded Colorado Buffaloes in the opening round of the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship.
The Dolphins were led by sophomore sensation
Shae Hagans, who tied a career high with five goals and six points.
Colorado punched Jacksonville in the mouth early, going up 3-0 early in the first quarter. Senior
Maddi Santini --- playing in her home state of Colorado for the first time in her college career --- got one back to keep the 'Phins in the fight.
Despite trailing 4-1 after the first, Jacksonville rallied with a flourish. It came from the stick of Hagans, who scored 33 seconds into the second quarter. After the Buffaloes scored, Hagans found junior
Maeve Brennan who finished with a jumper on the crease for another JU tally.
Colorado scored again, but Hagans answered as Jacksonville inched closer in the second quarter, trailing 6-4 in the second quarter.
The momentum reached its zenith in the second half. Hagans scored another early goal to pull JU within one, then she handled a pass on the crease and potted a goal to put the Dolphins level.
Junior
Julia Nicholson put one in the back of the net, giving Jacksonville its first lead of the day.
Brennan scored again to open the fourth quarter, giving the Dolphins a two-goal advantage. Colorado rattled off three goals in the next three minutes to re-take the lead. Jacksonville wouldn't back down, though, as Hagans kept her foot on the gas.
On the Dolphins only free-position attempt of the game, Hagans fired a right-handed rocket past the goalie, tying the game at nine.
The Buffaloes would re-take the lead minutes later. Jacksonville hand a handful of late opportunities to tie the game, but the Colorado defense held firm to secure the result.
Game Notes
- Hagans has two five-goal games this season. In two seasons, she has 77 goals.
- Brennan finished with two goals. Her 82 points are the fourth-most in a single season in school history.
- Senior Abby Moran finished with five draw controls, ending her illustrious college career with 501 career draw controls.
