Blue Devils storm to 8-0. The Top-ranked Duke Blue Devils (8-0) made a trip to sunny and warm, Florida to take on the Jacksonville Dolphins (3-3). Two Duke players with Philadelphia ties were instrumental in the 17-6 Duke victory. A dominating performance that witnessed 11 different Blue Devils making the stat sheet.
Brennan O’Neill (5G) kicked things off with a natural hat trick with an unassisted marker at 11:24, converting a Mike Sowers pass at 8:16 and at 6:26 cashing in a Dyson Williams feed. At the 5:32 mark, Tucker Garrity (1g) got the Dolphins on the board at 3-1. Aidan Danenza (1g,1a) and Joe Robertson (2g,3a) ended the one-sided first quarter with Duke in control, 5-1.
2:15 into the second quarter, Jeremy Winston (1g) converted a Jack Dolan (2a) pass to draw it to 5-2. After that, Duke took total charge and scored the next six fueled by, Robertson aiding a Sowers (1g,6a) tally, 1:21 later, Robertson hit net, Sean Lowrie (2g) added his two, Sowers setting up JP Basile (1g,2)on a Sowers fueled man up goal. With :06 to play. Terry Lindsay ended the half at 11-2.
The deluge picked right back up in the third. O’Neill, Dyson Williams (2g,1a), Cameron Mule (1g), O’Neill, and Williams again put the run to 11 and the score, 16-2. Curtis Goddard (2g) mercifully closed the third, 16-3. Duke was content to enjoy some Florida sun and Goddard made it 16-4 with Basile assisting on a Reilly Walsh (1g marker that closed the Duke end of the goals.
The Dolphins closed it out with Sam Chase (1g) with :15 left and Matt Stagnitta (1g) with :07 to play. Facts: Sowers now needs 54 points for 400. With just 6 games left, it’s a long shot. Former St. Joseph’s goalie, Mike Adler played 30:00 allowing 2 goals and making 2 saves.
Duke employed three goalies in this one with Turner Uppgren playing 19:32 allowing 1 goal and Andrew Bonafede surrendering 3 goals with 3 saves in 10:23. For the Dolphins, Jason Yoquinto made 16 saves and surrendered all 17 goals in 55:04 with Adam Baker making 2 saves in his 4:56. Shots were in favor of Duke, 48-23 with one goal being 35-11. Ground Balls went the way of Duke, 38-25.
The 8-0 start is the best for the Devils since they did the same in 2008. The best start was in 2005 when they started 11-0. Despite the goal deluge, Duke actually went scoreless for 11:18 at one point. Blue Devils storm to 8-0 after the most recent victory.
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
