The Gators continued their impressive streak with another dominating second half performance. Taking up right where they left off against Temple, Florida unleashed a flurry of points early in the second period allowing them to close the game out with an 18-6 victory.
The Gators (7-1) started the game playing aggressive defense that seemed to intimidate the Raiders (3-4) during opening minutes of the game. Despite this effort, Florida gave up a careless goal to Colgate sophomore Courtney Miller for the first score of the game.
The Raiders lead was short-lived however, as Florida sophomore midfielder Kitty Cullen tied the score on the very next possession.
After a second goal from Cullen put the Gators up 3-1, Raiders coach Heather Young quickly called a time out.
This didn’t deter Florida however, as soon after sophomore midfielder Brittany Dashiell completed an impressive sequence that included an interception followed by a goal.
Dashiell said the Raiders time out actually allowed the Gators to gain focus after starting out slow offensively.
“We brought it in for the time out and the coaches told us what we needed to do,” said Dashiell. “We really needed to refocus and make sure we came out aggressive.”
Colgate fought back with a couple of goals from midfielders Courtney Miller and Colleen Bubnack to keep it close, but a few late scores gave the Gators a comfortable 7-3 lead at the half.
The Gators once again began the second half with a barrage of points that seized victory early on. Florida scored four straight goals to begin the period and never looked back.
In total seven Gators scored including a game high 5 goals for sophomore Brittany Dashiell.
Florida coach Amanda O’Leary was particularly impressed with Dashiell’s performance.
“I thought this was probably one of her best performances as a Florida Gator, offensively just her whole production of 5 goals and 1 assist,” O’Leary said. “But also defensively, she was playing against one of their best players and I think she did a fantastic job.”
Freshman midfielder Kelsey Dlugos also got in on the action, scoring her first goal as a Gator late in the second half to heavy applause from the announced crowd of 436 in attendance.
The Gators will now set their attention on No. 11 Syracuse (2-3) who come to Gainesville on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.
The Orange defeated Towson tonight for their second win of the season and will be looking to end the Gators seven game winning streak.
Florida’s Brittany Dashiell is aware of the threat Syracuse presents.
“Well Syracuse is a new ball park; they are a very good team,” Dashiell said. “We just need to come out, prepare and make sure we are on our best level and focused and ready to beat them. They are definitely one of the best teams we will play this season.”
Gator Country reporter Daniel Jennings can be reached at Daniel@gatorcountry.com. You can also follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/DJenningsGC