Box Score GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Coming off a road loss at No. 1 Maryland, the University of Florida women’s lacrosse team (9-2, 3-0) responded brilliantly on Saturday afternoon, defeating BIG EAST rival Vanderbilt 16-6.
The Gator defense stifled Vanderbilt in the first half, allowing zero goals on 12 shot attempts while forcing the Commodores into 11 turnovers. Florida would enter halftime with a 12-0 lead, and held the shutout for over 35 minutes before a Jill Doherty goal brought the score to 14-1 in the second half.
The 16 goals scored by Florida were the most Vanderbilt has allowed in a game this season, with a previous high of 13. Entering Saturday’s contest, the Commodores ranked 12th in the NCAA in scoring defense (9.00).
Senior attacker
Mollie Stevens paced the Gators offensively, scoring six points (four goals, two assists), to go along with three ground balls, three draw controls, and one caused turnover. Saturday’s game was Stevens’ third this season with at least six points.
Sammi Burgess,
Allie Pavinelli,
Sydney Pirreca, and
Lindsey Ronbeck each added two goals for the Gators. Burgess, who also tallied two assists, moved into second place all-time at Florida with 65 in her career. She is currently tied for fourth place on the single-season assist list with 24, and is only eight away from passing Ashley Bruns (31) for the most in a season.
Florida’s defense limited Vanderbilt to its lowest-scoring output of the season. Senior
Taylor Bresnahan and freshman
Cara Trombetta each caused a turnover against the Commodores, with Bresnahan also contributing three draw controls and two ground balls.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Haley Hicklen earned her ninth victory of the season, recording seven saves and a career-high .700 save percentage in 51:32 of action. Backup goalies
Olivia Cole (two saves) and
Kenzii Kittell each saw time in the cage.
Complete Team Effort
All 29 Gators who were available to play against Vanderbilt saw meaningful playing time in a well-rounded performance.
- Nine Gators scored a goal
- Six Gators recorded an assist
- 12 Gators scooped up a ground ball
- Five Gators won a draw control
- Four Gators caused a turnover
Records:
No. 3 Florida: 9-2 (3-0)
Vanderbilt: 5-4 (2-1)
Notable:
- The Gators have won 14 straight BIG EAST games dating back to the 2015 season.
- Caroline Fitzgerald is just six ground balls away from becoming Florida’s all-time ground balls leader (142).
- Sammi Burgess needs 10 points to become the fifth Gator to amass 200 career points.
- #PirrecaPower: Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney have combined to score 33% (57/174) of Florida’s goals this season.
- The Gators own a 74-11 (.871) record all-time at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
- Florida had a 12-11 in the draw circle against Vanderbilt. Entering Saturday’s game, Vanderbilt ranked ninth in the NCAA with 14.88 draw controls per game.
O’Leary’s Insight:
“I’m really pleased with the entire team’s effort today against a very good Vanderbilt team. For us to come out and score 16 goals is quite an accomplishment. Everyone who played today contributed in a positive way, and that’s a great sign for us moving forward.”
Up Next
The Gators will travel to Milwaukee, Wis. on April 5 for a 1 P.M. tilt with BIG EAST foe Marquette (3-7, 1-1).
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