Cook Nets Four; Johnson Ends Up with Four Points
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – The 20th-ranked Army lacrosse team scored eight unanswered goals between the first and second quarters and shut out Jacksonville in the second half to cruise to a 20-4 win on Sunday afternoon at Milne Field.
Army (3-0) was led by Connor Cook, who has scored eight goals in his last two games with four more today against the Dolphins. John Glesener and Cole Johnson each had good days with four points. Glesener had two goals and two assists, while Johnson posted a hat trick for the third-straight game and had an assist.
The Black Knights had 11 goal scorers on the afternoon. Avery Littlejohn had three points on a two goals and three assists. Alex Newsome and Will O’Donnell added multi-goal games as well with two each.
“We were a little tentative early, giving up that first goal,” head coach Joe Alberici said. “We were able to rebound and go on an eight-goal run with six different goal scorers. I thought we played well in the first half and then tightened up in the second half and shut them out. It was a good win against a team that I think is going to have some success this year.”
Jacksonville (0-1) opened its fifth season as a lacrosse program and was led by Chase McIntyre. He had three of the four goals scored, while Fernando Milanes had the other tally for the Dolphins.
“I want to thank West Point alum and Jacksonville Athletic Director Dr. Donnie Horner, coach Guy Van Arsdale and the whole Jacksonville Athletic Department for the first-class treatment of our players and staff,” Alberici added. “The minute the plane touched down on Friday night we were treated extremely well and were part of a great event.”
Jacksonville got on the board first, but the lead didn’t last long as Army reeled off eight-straight tallies to start the game with a commanding 8-1 advantage. Cook and Johnson had a pair of goals during the run, while Will O’Donnell scored his first of the season. Gunnar Miller and Glesener were also factors in the early lead with goals and Glesener added an assist as well.
Newsome stopped a short counter attack from the Dolphins with his second of the day coming with 7:10 remaining in the second quarter. Johnson assisted on the play and it was 9-3. Jacksonville closed out the half with McIntyre getting the hat trick to cut Army’s lead down to five. The Black Knights had their opportunities prior to halftime as three players hit the post on shots.
The Black Knights dominated the second half by outscoring the Dolphins 11-0. They had six goals in the third quarter and five in the fourth. Cook reached four goals with the first two of the third quarter. Jimbo Moore, Al DeStefano and Tim Coll also tallied goals in the big second half to give Army the 20-4 win.
Army outshot Jacksonville, 32-13, and won 14-of-26 faceoffs. The Black Knights played great clearing defense once again, allowing the Dolphins to clear the ball 11-of-17 chances. Both teams were scoreless on man-up opportunities.
The Black Knights are back in action next Sunday as Army heads to Syracuse for a 7 p.m. start against the fourth-ranked Orange.
Game Notes: This was the first meeting between Army and Jacksonville … the Dolphins started their program in 2010 … Army starts the season 3-0 for the first time since 2007 … Army scored 20 goals for the second-straight game … Sam Somers held his opponent to single digits for the 13th-straight start … Cook has tied his career-high with four goals … Glesener improves his streak to 32 games with four points … Johnson has started the year with three consecutive hat tricks.
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