BOULDER, Colo. — A historic season for the Jacksonville Dolphins came to an end Friday night, as JU fell 10-9 to the eighth-seeded Colorado Buffaloes in the opening round of the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship.
The Dolphins were led by sophomore sensation Shae Hagans, who tied a career high with five goals and six points.
Colorado punched Jacksonville in the mouth early, going up 3-0 early in the first quarter. Senior Maddi Santini — playing in her home state of Colorado for the first time in her college career — got one back to keep the ‘Phins in the fight.
Despite trailing 4-1 after the first, Jacksonville rallied with a flourish. It came from the stick of Hagans, who scored 33 seconds into the second quarter. After the Buffaloes scored, Hagans found junior Maeve Brennan who finished with a jumper on the crease for another JU tally.
Colorado scored again, but Hagans answered as Jacksonville inched closer in the second quarter, trailing 6-4 in the second quarter.
The momentum reached its zenith in the second half. Hagans scored another early goal to pull JU within one, then she handled a pass on the crease and potted a goal to put the Dolphins level.
Shae Hagans ties it up ??
??:https://t.co/FQR9u05uH3
??:https://t.co/ELrEn1kcit#JUPhinsUp X #LacrosseCapitaloftheSouth pic.twitter.com/jwLKgOS9hv
— Jacksonville Women’s Lacrosse (@JAX_WLAX) May 8, 2026
Junior Julia Nicholson put one in the back of the net, giving Jacksonville its first lead of the day.
PHINS. IN. FRONT.
??:https://t.co/FQR9u05uH3
??:https://t.co/ELrEn1kcit#JUPhinsUp X #LacrosseCapitaloftheSouth pic.twitter.com/NIkee7GGiz
— Jacksonville Women’s Lacrosse (@JAX_WLAX) May 8, 2026
Brennan scored again to open the fourth quarter, giving the Dolphins a two-goal advantage. Colorado rattled off three goals in the next three minutes to re-take the lead. Jacksonville wouldn’t back down, though, as Hagans kept her foot on the gas.
On the Dolphins only free-position attempt of the game, Hagans fired a right-handed rocket past the goalie, tying the game at nine.
Shae Hagans ties her career high with five goals to tie the game at nine!
??:https://t.co/FQR9u05uH3
??:https://t.co/ELrEn1kcit#JUPhinsUp X #LacrosseCapitaloftheSouth pic.twitter.com/2p6AOpCw9V
— Jacksonville Women’s Lacrosse (@JAX_WLAX) May 8, 2026
The Buffaloes would re-take the lead minutes later. Jacksonville hand a handful of late opportunities to tie the game, but the Colorado defense held firm to secure the result.
Game Notes
Hagans has two five-goal games this season. In two seasons, she has 77 goals.
Brennan finished with two goals. Her 82 points are the fourth-most in a single season in school history.
Senior Abby Moran finished with five draw controls, ending her illustrious college career with 501 career draw controls.