JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Defending Atlantic Sun champion Jacksonville used a three-goal run to take the lead early as La Salle dropped a 16-7 decision to the host Dolphins on Wednesday afternoon.
Sophomore
Allee Ilgenfritz led the Explorers (1-3) with her second straight hat trick. Four more Explorers added one goal each, including
Rachel Ceplo,
Katelyn Fay,
Alanna Diffendal and
Claire Andrews. Fay and Diffendal recorded one assist each as well to finish with two points on the day.
Holly Ventimiglia led the Dolphins (5-1) with four goals and two assists. Four more players scored two goals each, and four more added one apiece in a balanced offensive attack.
Ilgenfritz opened scoring just 1:28 into the contest to give the Explorers an early 1-0 lead, but the Dolphins responded with three straight to take the lead for good. Fay broke up the run with a score to cut the home team's lead to 3-2, but JU responded with four more to push its lead to 7-2. Ilgenfritz added her second goal of the day just before the halftime break as JU took a 9-3 lead into the half.
Ceplo notched a goal less than a minute into the second half but four more Dolphin scores put the game out of reach.
JU outshot the Explorers 36-22, including 30 shots on goal. The Dolphins also controlled the draws 17-7 and edged the Explorers in ground balls, 23-20.
Gabby Antonelli picked up 14 saves in the loss, and JU's Asia Moore recorded 10 saves.
The Explorers stay in Florida through the weekend, playing Kennesaw State on Saturday at 10 a.m. in a neutral site contest at JU.
