3 Takeaways
1. This Was Over… Immediately
Jacksonville basically ended this game before the popcorn got warm. The Dolphins exploded for eight goals in the first quarter and never looked back. By halftime it was 11–0, and Le Moyne didn’t get on the board until 40 minutes into the game. That’s less of a game and more of a public demonstration.
2. The Offense Was Absolutely Cooking
Jacksonville’s offense looked like it was running a clinic. Nicky Brown led the way with seven points (2G, 5A) while Jack Taylor added six points (1G, 5A). Freshman Zane Czeschin buried four goals, and Daylin John-Hill added multiple scores of his own. In total, 13 different players recorded a point, which is usually a sign that things are going very, very wrong for the other team.
3. The Defense Was Even Meaner
As wild as the scoring was, Jacksonville’s defense may have been more impressive. The Dolphins held Le Moyne scoreless for the first 40:38 and limited them to just two goals total. The ride was relentless early, forcing turnovers on every Le Moyne clear attempt in the first quarter and fueling the early scoring avalanche.
Play of the Game
Jack Taylor’s No-Look Assist (1st Quarter)
Late in the first quarter, Jack Taylor dodged to the middle and drew the slide before casually flipping a no-look pass over his shoulder to Daylin John-Hill on the crease for the finish.
It perfectly summed up the afternoon: Jacksonville moving the ball freely while Le Moyne scrambled to keep up.
Game Recap
Jacksonville returned to Rock Stadium in style Saturday afternoon, delivering a 20–2 beatdown of Le Moyne in the “Battle of the Dolphins.”
The win marked the largest home-opening victory in program history and the Dolphins’ highest goal total since scoring 21 last season.
From the opening whistle, Jacksonville controlled every phase of the game.
The Dolphins struck first when Zane Czeschin finished a feed from Nicky Brown early in the first quarter. That goal opened the floodgates. Jacksonville rattled off eight goals in the opening 15 minutes, powered by a fast-paced offense and an aggressive ride that repeatedly forced Le Moyne turnovers.
Czeschin finished the first quarter with two goals, while Kai Smith, Daylin John-Hill, Tate Jones, and Jack Taylor all joined the scoring party as Jacksonville jumped out to an 8–0 lead.
The Dolphins kept the pressure on in the second quarter. William Krupsky scored midway through the frame before Brown found John-Hill for another. Czeschin then completed his hat trick on an extra-man opportunity, pushing the lead to 11–0 at halftime.
Jacksonville’s defense was just as dominant. Le Moyne didn’t register a shot until late in the second quarter and didn’t score its first goal until 4:22 left in the third quarter.
By that point, the Dolphins had already stretched the lead to 14–0, highlighted by goals from Gavin Angell, John-Hill, and Czeschin’s fourth of the afternoon.
With the outcome well in hand, Jacksonville kept the offense rolling in the fourth quarter. Brown and John-Hill each added another goal before Jack Russo stole the show late.
The sophomore midfielder, seeing his first action of the season, scored three straight goals for his first collegiate hat trick to close out the scoring.
Brown finished the day with seven points (2G, 5A) while Taylor added six points (1G, 5A) as the Dolphins’ offense hummed all afternoon. Jacksonville dominated the ground ball battle 44–21 and saw 13 players record at least one point, including three who recorded the first points of their college careers.
In goal, Ryan Della Rocco earned the win with five saves while allowing just one goal, while Lucas Winger added 16 saves earlier in the game.
The victory gives Jacksonville its first win of the season at 1–2, while Le Moyne drops to 0–2.
The Dolphins now face a much tougher challenge next weekend when they travel to Durham for a Top 10 showdown against Duke.