JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Dolphins returned to Rock Stadium for the first time since last season’s ASUN Tournament, and they treated the home fans to a win of historic proportions.
Jacksonville (1-2) took down the Le Moyne Dolphins 20-2 Saturday afternoon. The win was the largest ever for JU in a home opener. The Dolphins also scored a home-opener record 20 goals, their most since potting 21 against Hampton last season.
From the opening quarter, Jacksonville was getting the looks it wanted. Senior Nicky Brown, making his second-consecutive start at attack, flew the ball to the high crease where freshman Zane Czeschin ripped home the first of his eventual four goals.
The offense was hot, but it was the defense that suffocated the game for the Dolphins. Jacksonville’s ride forced a turnover on every Le Moyne clear in the first quarter. With the extra possessions, the Dolphins found the back of the net.
Freshman Kai Smith scored the first goal of his career off another assist from Brown, then Brown got one of his own, firing it home after a dish from his senior linemate Jack Taylor.
Czeschin kept party going with his second, then senior Tate Jones scored to keep his streak of a point in every game this season going. Brown almost scored another, but was denied by a save.
Sophomore Daylin John-Hill won the ground ball battle out of the scrum, and Smith rumbled to the middle for his second tally of the afternoon.
With the clock ticking down, Taylor dodged to the middle. With the slide coming, he casually flipped the ball over his shoulder to John-Hill who potted it past the netminder for JU’s sixth of the first quarter.
OMG WHAT DO WE SAY ?? #WTD88 | #JUPhinsUp pic.twitter.com/mWlnnjNFef
— Jacksonville Men's Lacrosse ?? (@JAX_MLAX) February 14, 2026
Jacksonville held Le Moyne without a shot until the 10:57 mark in the second quarter. The visiting Dolphins wouldn’t register a shot on target until 0:49 left in the half, when JU goalie Ryan Della Rocco made a pair of saves on a man-up opportunity.
The hosting Dolphins added three goals in the second quarter. Junior William Krupsky netted his second goal in as many games. Brown got himself another assist, finding John-Hill for the goal. Czeschin finished the first half scoring, adding one on the extra man.
Jacksonville pushed the pace in the second half. Junior defenseman George Bowdouris won a ground ball on defense, then the ball swung around to junior midfielder Gavin Angell for his first goal of the season.
Bowdouris came away with the loose ball again, and as the Dolphins pushed the ball to the offense, it swung from Taylor to Brown to John-Hill on the doorstep for a dunk. Czeschin finished off his fourth goal of the night off another Taylor assist to put Jacksonville up 14-0.
Jacksonville gave up its first goal of the game with 4:22 left in the third. In all, the Dolphins held Le Moyne without a goal for the first 40:38 of the game.
Junior Henry Fleckner answered the Dolphins goal, finishing off the first career assist for sophomore Connor Sydnor.
In the fourth quarter, Jacksonville would add five more goals to end the afternoon in style. Brown and John-Hill each added another to their already gaudy tallies, then sophomore Jack Russo took over for the final three goals.
A stalwart of the Dolphins scout team, Russo got his first playing time of the season, scoring his first three college goals.
Russo took it himself for his first himself, muscling his way past the defense for his first college goal. He took two more, first off a dime from sophomore Tommy Bonavita then from senior Sam Rodriguez. Bonavita’s assist was the first point of his college career.
Game Notes
- Brown led the team with seven points (2G, 5A).
- Taylor finished with six points (1G, 5A). He’s recorded at least four points in his last nine games dating back to last season.
- Thirteen different players recorded at least one point, three of them recording the first points of their career (Russo, Bonavita, Smith).
- Della Rocco allowed a career-low one goal, making five saves at 83.3%.
- The Dolphins won the ground ball battle 44-21.
Head Coach John Galloway
“Today was an important day for us after a few disappointing losses. I am proud of the work our guys put in this week. We didn’t make it easy, and they didn’t flinch.
We continue to be led by the physicality of our defense, and I’m especially proud of our young guys on offense continuing to grow. Jack Taylor, Nicky Brown and Daylin John-Hill calmed the waters for us. I’m especially happy for Jack Russo, who works his tail off for this team. His hat trick wasn’t a surprise to any of us.
Our road doesn’t get easier, and we will be motivated this week for another special opportunity in North Carolina.”
Up Next
The Dolphins will be back on the road for another Top 10 test as they battle the Duke Blue Devils next Saturday. Opening faceoff in Durham is scheduled for noon.