Jacksonville Jumps on Howard Early

from press release

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville scored four goals in 58 seconds early in the first half and used that to build a 16-0 halftime lead in beating Howard, 23-3, in a National Lacrosse Conference game Friday.

The Dolphins (11-3, 5-1) got goals from 14 players and played 30 in the game that saw JU outshoot the Bison (0-9, 0-5) 52-8.

Senior Kayleigh Hynes, playing her next to last home game, scored three goals as did sophomore Morgan Derner. Ally Dell, playing only her second game after coming back from an injury, scored her first two goals of the season. Jen Cosgrove, Amanda Hurley, freshman Jess Worcester and Nikki Erdely all joined Dell with two goals.

The team’s leading scorer, Ali Hoffman, had a goal as did Holly Ventimiglia, Brittney Orashen, Nicole Albino, Chelsea Watts, Kaitlin Stewart and Carly Garrison.

Hoffman added two assists giving her 47 points for the year on 27 goals and 20 assists. Ventimiglia also had two assists and Morgan Basler, Cosgrove, Dell, Hynes and Angela Sperbeck all had one.

Goal keeper Karli Tobin had three saves and freshman Asia Moore, who played the entire second half, had one.

Defender Rachel Hannon kept up her torrid play as she had nine draw controls and a ground ball. Orashen had four ground balls and Derner three caused turnovers.

“I thought we did a pretty good job with shot placement but would have like to see better fundamentals in passing and catching,’’ coach Mindy McCord said. “Our transition game was well played in relation to our opportunities and draw controls.’’

McCord was happy that for the third consecutive game, all players who dressed out were able to play. “We like to build our depth and getting games like this where everyone gets good experience is important heading into the post season,’’ she said.

Up next for the Dolphins is a trip to Nashville, Tenn., Sunday for a 2 p.m. game with 19th-ranked Vanderbilt. The Commodores hold a 7-7 record but have played seven ranked teams this season.

“Vanderbilt is a very good team with some very nice players,’’ McCord said. “Playing our game of transition will be key for us. They are very solid on the draw control and I think that will be very important for us to try to manage.’’