Eric Dobson’s hat trick was not enough to overcome a slow start as Fleming Island fell to Bolles 10-8 in boys lacrosse action Wednesday night.

Dobson, a freshman, was a bright spot for a Golden Eagles squad that is now playing for the future after having been eliminated from playoff contention. He faked a shot from the top of the box and then stepped inside a defender for an uncontested shot that converted a man-up opportunity for the hosts midway through the second quarter. He finished a fast break with a wrist shot off a feed from Patrick Schreiber later in the second quarter, and scored from point blank range in the fourth quarter when Jack Hawley drew the defenders to himself on a drive to the goal before finding Dobson.

But Dobson’s effort went for naught as Fleming Island fell victim to a poor start. The Bulldogs dominated possession early in seizing a 6-1 lead in the first 14 minutes.

“We are still dropping passes and throwing away passes,” said Fleming Island coach John Hawley. “That was a problem for us. And we could not clear the ball.”

The turnovers put the Golden Eagles defense and goalie Korbin Hamilton under constant stress. But after a timeout during which Hawley reviewed the scheme for clearing the ball after a save by Hamilton, Fleming Island fought its way back into the game. Four consecutive goals, two by Dobson and two by attack Kirby Gracia, allowed Fleming Island draw within one at halftime. One of Gracia’s tallies was a behind-the-back trick shot off another assist by Schreiber.

But just as they had in the first quarter, the Bulldogs seized the momentum in the third quarter. Bolles went on their own four-goal run, each score coming off an assist and each score coming from a different player. Fleming Island failed to score in the stanza, facing a 10-5 deficit heading into the final quarter.

“We tried to run through double and triple teams in the third quarter, and that leads to turnovers,” said John Hawley.

Led by Jack Hawley, a senior playing his last home game, the Golden Eagles clawed their way back a second time. Hawley had two goals, one on a bounce shot from close range, and Dobson added his third to make the score 10-8 with 7:10 remaining. But the Golden Eagles could get no closer, as Bulldogs goalie David Barr made three saves on one possession with six minutes left, Bolles middie Max Cussen made an interception with 1:12 remaining, and Fleming Island was caught offsides in the final minute to prevent the Golden Eagles from completing the comeback.

Fleming Island ends the season with two road games, the first of which is a non-district clash at Jacksonville Sandalwood Friday, March 17.

Bolles improves to 9-4, and will return to action March 23 with a game at Martin County High School in Stuart, Florida.