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Former JU lacrosse player Corey Lovrich succumbs to cancer

Jacksonville University men’s lacrosse player Corey Lovrich lost his valiant fight against colon cancer and passed away May 31 in New York.

Lovrich, 21, from Long Beach, N.Y., played two seasons with the Dolphins before being diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in spring 2011.

After being diagnosed and treated, Lovrich’s cancer went into remission. Earlier this year, he was given permission to resume athletic training. He attended the early season Moe’s Southwest Grill Classic at EverBank Field and watched the Dolphins defeat Navy, 13-7. However, in recent weeks he became ill again.

“This is a sad day and a terrible loss,” said former JU coach Matt Kerwick, now the associate head coach at Georgetown, who recruited Lovrich for the Dolphins.

Lovrich, a defenseman, was named captain and played in six games his sophomore season (2011) before being diagnosed. During the stretch, he collected 16 ground balls and forced six turnovers and set a season high five ground balls against Robert Morris.

As a freshman, Lovrich started 11 games and had 23 ground balls and caused 10 turnovers. He finished that season strong by collecting 16 ground balls in the final five games.

“He came in and wasn’t supposed to play because he was recovering from knee surgery,” Kerwick said. “But he worked hard, got a chance to play and was one of our top players. He was a great leader and a great young man.”

Teammate Jake Ziegler, from Webster, N.Y., played with Lovrich at defense.

“He was a great friend and brought a smile to everyone’s face,” said Ziegler, who played with Lovrich two years at JU. “He was happy-go-lucky, a hard worker and a good kid. He never strayed from the path. He was a good kid.”

Donations in Lovrich’s name may be made to: Memorial Sloan Kettering, 1275 York Ave., New York, N.Y., 10065.