JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Dolphins are rocking like a hurricane.
In the team's season opener, the Dolphins defeated visiting Miami 2-0, securing the program's biggest Power 4 win since the year 2000. No player on the Jacksonville roster was alive when JU last defeated a Power 4 team, which was a 4-3 win over the same school from Coral Gables.
It was a night for new 'Phins on a rainy Wednesday, with freshman
Ula Omerzu netting the game's deciding goal off a free kick in the 59
th minute. Preseason All-ASUN honoree sophomore
Julia Delprat scored the game's icer in the 72
nd minute, the fourth goal of her college career. Senior substitute
Kayla Jackson added the assist on Delprat's score with a looping set-up pass just over the head over teammate
Olivia Peal and right onto the foot of Delprat.
Minding the net in her first start in Duval County, junior transfer keeper
Taylor Gardner blanked the visiting Hurricanes, making two saves on 10 shots.
Jacksonville (1-0-0) was led in shots by Omerzu, who took a game-high three with a game-high two shots on target. Delprat and senior defender
Millie Urquhart also added shots on net.
As for fellow newcomers,
Sofía Aguayo played 80 minutes, adding a physical presence all over the field that Miami had no answer for. Omerzu herself logged 79 minutes in her first collegiate game, earning the starting nod.
Transfer midfielder
Saki Sanno played 68 minutes. Jacksonville local and freshman
Logan Griffin logged 13 minutes in the second half, helping keep the clean sheet alive with a handful of clearances in the game's wanning minutes.
Preseason ASUN Player of the Year
Paula Herranz was unsurprisingly a force, adding a shot in 80 minutes played. Herranz's ability to open the field completely along the sidelines gave Miami fits, allowing for chances to clear up in the middle for a total of eight JU shots and four shots on goal.
During preseason action, the 'Phins were blanked in their lone game, but came out Thursday a whole different beast, scoring a pair in head coach
Ryan Moon's first Power 4 win at the helm of the Dolphins.
Each season under Moon has seen signature moments and tangible improvement. From his first win as a Division 1 head coach over South Carolina State and senior day win over Bellarmine in his first season, making the ASUN Tournament Semifinals in his second year and now a Power 4 win for the first time in 26 years, the 'Phins are already making their mark during Moon's third campaign.
While five new faces took to the pitch at Southern Oak, Moon's homegrown talent also shined. Sophomore defender
Frida Johansson played the full 90 as did sophomore midfielder
Claudia Perez Avila. Senior defender
Lilian Carhart also went the distance, keeping the goal safe from any Miami advances.
The Jacksonville defense locked it down in the second half -- led by the likes of Gardner, Carhart and Johansson -- allowed just one Hurricane shot. On the other side, JU notched four of its own with two finding nylon.
Jacksonville was also the cleaner team overall, drawing just nine fouls to Miami's 19.
Following the historic night by the Dolphins, Jacksonville travels to Charleston Southern for the team's first road trip of the year. Sunday, August 16
th's game will be streamed on ESPN+ starting at 3 p.m. EST.
Moon's side returns home again on Thursday, August 20
th for a tilt against Georgia Southern at 7 p.m. Last season, the Dolphins toppled the Eagles 4-1 in Statesboro. The game will be International Celebration night, honoring the team's 14 international players and Jacksonville University's robust international student population.
COACH'S COMMENTS
On the team's season opening win: "It was a really good confidence booster early on in the season," Moon said. "Great to score a couple goals after we didn't score in preseason. We had a lot of chances (in preseason) but it was great to convert them today. Ultimately, just as happy with the clean sheet. Taylor (Gardner) did a great job in goal. It came together really well. Some people we wanted to start scoring did. Our two forwards both got a goal which is great for their confidence too."
On the impact of the team's newcomers: "It was massive. It was no surprise. They have all come in and worked extremely hard in preseason. Their determination to get better and do extra work is there so they reaped the rewards today."
RELIVE THE MOMENTS
