Call them the three ace “Cards” of Jacksonville lacrosse.

The captain trio of seniors Logan Skipper and Alex Perry and junior Aidan Hart has played a key role in what the Cardinals hope is a resurgent season.

These three players have combined to post 41 of 67 goals and 28 of 38 assists for the Cardinals (5-1), who are one result shy of matching last year’s win total and are on pace to win their most games since 2016’s 15-win season.

“They are learning each other’s habits, and they are putting in the work,” Jacksonville coach John DeRosa said. “They bring a different change of pace, and they bring different intangibles to the game. They feed off each other, and the other guys follow suit.”

The trio continued their strong play Monday night in an 18-9 home victory over New Hanover as Hart recorded four goals and three assists and Perry and Skipper each had two goals and two assists.

Overall, Hart has 13 goals and 13 assists, Skipper has 15 goals and 10 assists and Perry has 13 goals and five assists.

“We definitely like to complete with each other, but we also like to work together,” Skipper said.

Perry agreed, adding that sometimes their competitive spirit gets intense.

“These are my guys, and we talk crap to each other all day,” he said. “I remember last year one time, me and Aidan were having a back-and-forth, talking crap, but it was all in love. We all try to push each other to have our best games.”

Every one of the players can point to that one “best” game.

Hart’s strongest contest came with the four goals and three assists against New Hanover, Skipper had tallied four goals and two assists in an 11-8 win over Swansboro and Perry netted six goals and an assist in a 14-6 triumph over Northside.

“Everybody moves around and executes,” Hart said. “We are on the same page.”

Hart, Perry and Skipper have had plenty of time to be in sync as all three have played for the Cardinals for three years. All three know what the other brings to the squad.

“Alex is big and strong with both hands and he can move the ball,” Skipper said. “Aidan is a strong lefty who is shifty. You don’t want to mess with him.”

Then it was Perry’s turn to compliment his teammates.

“Logan is shifty and his eyes are always up. He sees everything,” Perry said. “And the same goes with Aidan. He always looks first and shoots later.”

“Alex always finds himself open and he always drops the hammer on the goalie. The goalie can’t see it coming,” Hart said. “Logan has everything in his bag. He’s got a lefty, a righty and he has that jump shot you always see. All that combined makes him a really great player.”

But while Hart, Perry and Skipper share a strong bond on the Cardinals’ attack. They were all quick to credit their other teammates for their success.

“The team comradery hasn’t been the best in the past, but this year we have brought it together,” Skipper said. “Everyone is working together really well.”

“It’s not just about us three, it’s about the whole team,” he said. “The whole team is full of superstars. We have talent at every position. We just need to keep it going. We have not forgotten the last couple of years and how we were getting our butts kicked. It didn’t feel good … but this year’s team has brought different leadership and a different vibe.”

The Cardinals look take use that mindset into Thursday’s showdown at reigning state champion Croatan.

“The positive vibes are all around,” Perry said. “We are all here for each other.”

Chris Miller can be contacted via email at cmiller@jdnews.com. Follow him on X @jdnsports.