GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Led by its high-powered offensive attack, the No. 11 Florida lacrosse team defeated Stetson 19-5 on Wednesday evening at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
Even with a 45-minute delay due to inclement weather, Florida was able to roll to the victory.
The Gators move to 5-4 on the year and are winners of three-straight games, while Stetson drops to 3-6 in the 2022 campaign.
Florida’s had 12 goal scorers in the game, led by four from Emma LoPinto. Kelly Schluederberg registered the first hat trick of her career Wednesday night, tallying three goals in the victory, followed by two apiece from Maggi Hall and Danielle Pavinelli.
Emily Heller, Paisley Eagan, Brie Catts, Whitney Albert, Ashley Gonzalez, Jill Quigley, Janine Suris and Kylee Hubiak each found the back of the cage once for Florida.
LoPinto also dished out three assists in the game to bring her to a total of seven points. Pavinelli added two assists of her own, while Gonzalez and Quigley each registered one helper.
Florida won 18-of-28 draw controls, led seven from Liz Harrison. Heller, Josie Hahn, Celeste Forte, Schluederberg and Bella Palagonia each picked up two draw controls in the victory.
The Gator defense held Stetson to just five goals, the lowest scoring output for an opponent since May 16, 2021 against Jacksonville (3 goals). Florida held the Hatters to 5-of-14 shooting on the afternoon, good for a .357 shooting percentage.
The team as a whole caused nine turnovers, led by two apiece from Leigh Lingo, Heller, Alexa Waters and Catherine Moriarty.
Lingo also recorded a team-high four groundballs – a season-high for the 5th year. Moriarty followed with three, while three different Gators each tallied two in the game.
Sarah Reznick played the first half in cage for Florida, posting two saves and a .500 save percentage. Julia Hammerschlag saw a half of her own in between the pipes, recording a career-high four saves and allowing only three goals for a .571 save percentage.
The Gators return to action on Sunday in Tempe, Ariz. as they are slated to take on Arizona State for the first time in program history. Opening draw is set for 1 p.m. ET.
Records
No. 11 Florida (5-4, 0-0 AAC)
Stetson (3-6, 0-0 ASUN)
How it Happened
* The Gators got onto the board 16 seconds into the game, with Danielle Pavinelli netting her 29th goal of the season. Just nine seconds later, Emily Heller scored her first of the day on a pass from Pavinelli to put Florida up 2-0.
* Just 1:26 into game, play had to stop due to inclement weather in the area. Approx. 45 minutes later, play resumed and the Gators picked up right where they left off, scoring back-to-back goals within the span of 2:09.
* Pavinelli found of the back of the cage for the first of the two goals, then Ashely Gonzalez followed on a dish from Emma LoPinto to take the 4-0 advantage.
* Florida kept it rolling, with LoPinto weaving through three defenders to score with 10:00 left in the first. Paisley Eagan followed with her first score of the day on a pass from Pavinelli to put Florida up 6-0 with 7:16 left in the first quarter.
* Both teams were scoreless for the remainder of the first frame and the Hatters got on the board first in the second, cutting Florida’s lead to five. LoPinto answered right back, pushing the UF lead back to six with 10:16 left to play in the half.
* The Gators continued to push, scoring five more unanswered goals to put themselves up 12-1. Jill Quigley kicked off the run, followed by Maggi Hall’s first goal of the day. LoPinto netted her third of day to bring her four hat tricks this season.
* The next Gator goal came from the stick of Kelly Schluederberg with 6:53 left in the half and the run was rounded out by a Hall goal to give Florida the 11-goal lead.
* Stetson was able to get one back with four minutes left in the frame, but Florida was able to take the 10-goal advantage into the locker room.
* Out of the break, LoPinto scored her fourth goal of the day to put the Gators up 11, but the Hatters answered right back with 9:49 left in the third.
* Florida strung together a 4-0 run over the course of the next eight+ minutes of play, with goals coming from the sticks of Schluederberg (2), Janine Suris and Brie Catts.
* The Hatters cut the deficit to 13 with 9:41 left in the game, but Florida had a plan of its own, scoring two more times – Whitney Albert and Kylee Hubiak – to take the 19-4 lead.
* Stetson struck one final time with 1:17 left in the game, but Florida held on to secure the 19-5 victory and move to 5-4 on the year.
Notables
* Emma LoPinto collected her fourth hat trick of the season
* Kelly Schluederberg notched the first hat trick of her career on Wednesday night
* The Gators improve to 4-0 in the all-time series against Stetson, including a 2-0 record in Gainesville
* Florida owns an impressive 111-21 (.841) record in the confines of Donald R. Dizney Stadium
* When scoring at least 14 goals, the Gators are 154-2 (.987) in program history
* Danielle Pavinelli is on pace to become Florida’s 19th 100-point scorer – she currently sits at 78
* Streaking: Sarah Reznick has recorded a save in 38-straight games, the third-longest streak in program history
Career-Highs
* Kelly Schluederberg posted a career-high three goals against the Hatters and tied her personal-best in draw controls with two
* Brie Catts, Kylee Hubiak, Janine Suris and Whitney Albert each tied their career-high in points and goals with one on Wednesday
* Jill Quigley set a new career-high in points with two
* Madison Rielly tied her career-best in assists with one
* Josie Hahn set a new career-high in draw controls with two
* Alexa Waters recorded two caused turnovers – a career-high
* Sarah Reznick only allowed two goals in the game, tying her career-best
* Julia Hammerschlag recorded a career-high four saves in the game
* Celeste Forte and Bella Palagonia each tied their career-high with two draw controls
* Sarah Mackey tied her career-high with one draw control
* Catherine Moriarty tied her career-best with two caused turnovers
* Emily Lortz and Maggie Corbo tied their career-highs, each with one groundball
Insight from O’Leary
* “I was really pleased with our effort today. Our starters came out and did a great job and those athletes that came off the bench continued that high level of play we expect. We see it every day at practice, so it was no surprise seeing them keep that level of play going.”
Up Next
* The Gators return to action on Sunday against Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz.
* Opening draw is set for 1 p.m. ET
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