Duke's Offensive Surge Secures Victory Over Jacksonville
In a thrilling non-conference men's lacrosse matchup, Duke's attackman delivered a standout performance, netting five goals to propel the seventh-ranked Blue Devils to a 16-10 victory over Jacksonville. The Blue Devils showcased their offensive prowess, outscoring Jacksonville 8-4 in the second half.
Max Sloat contributed significantly with three goals, while Thomas Mencke added four points, including two goals and two assists. On the defensive end, Duke excelled, limiting the Dolphins to 10 goals on 30 shots and forcing 22 turnovers.
Seniors Aidan Maguire and Charlie Johnson were defensive stalwarts, combining for seven caused turnovers and five ground balls. Maguire also chipped in with two assists.
Game Breakdown
The game started with both teams exchanging goals, featuring three lead changes and five ties in the opening half. Jacksonville struck first, but Mencke quickly responded for Duke.
Johnston then put Duke in the lead midway through the period. Jacksonville answered with a 3-1 run, reclaiming the advantage at 4-3 early in the second quarter.
Johnston countered with his own 3-1 run, scoring three times in just over two minutes to give Duke a 6-5 edge.
After Jacksonville's Nicky Brown tied the game, Duke closed the half with two unanswered goals, leading 8-6 at halftime. Michael Ortlieb scored, assisted by Mencke, and Maguire's quick thinking set up Mac Christmas for a last-second goal.
Duke extended their lead to 9-6 early in the third quarter with Johnston's fifth goal, demonstrating his scoring prowess. Although Jack Taylor narrowed the gap for Jacksonville, Duke dominated the final 25 minutes, outscoring the Dolphins 7-3.
A 4-1 run, featuring goals from four different Blue Devils, sealed the victory. Freshman Brady Scioletti initiated the run with an unassisted goal, and Kyle Colsey capped it off with a pass from Christmas. Senior Jack Pappendick scored during a man-up opportunity, and Sloat rounded out the scoring.
Cal Girard was a force at the faceoff dot, winning 14 of 26 and collecting six ground balls. Freshman Will Pedicano also impressed with six ground balls and a caused turnover.
In goal, Patrick Jameison made 10 crucial saves, while Jacksonville's Ryan Della Rocco recorded 11 stops. Daylin John-Hill led the Dolphins' offense with a hat trick.
Key Takeaways
Duke's victory improves their record to 14-2 against Jacksonville and 91-21 in February games. Benn Johnston's five-goal performance marked his third hat trick of the season and seventh of his career. With 17 goals in four games, Johnston is on a scoring tear, surpassing last season's pace.
Max Sloat registered his second hat trick of the season and sixth of his career, bringing his season total to 12 goals. Aidan Maguire's defensive efforts matched his career high in caused turnovers, and his two assists tied a personal best. Will Pedicano and Cal Girard both achieved career highs in ground balls and faceoff wins, respectively.
Looking Ahead
Duke will conclude their five-game homestand against Saint Joseph's on March 1 at 1 p.m., available on ACC Network Extra. Keep an eye on the Blue Devils as they continue to build momentum this season.
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