Special report on the Florida Gators lacrosse team:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The 11th ranked Florida lacrosse team took care of business on Saturday afternoon, defeating Old Dominion by a score of 19-4. The Gators move to 9-2 overall and 1-0 in AAC play, while the Monarchs drop to 3-8 overall and 0-2 in AAC play.
Florida had a season best .731 shot percentage, on 19 of 26 shooting, putting 25 of those shots on frame. Maggi Hall and Danielle Pavinelli combined for nine of the teams 19 goals, on nine of 11 shooting (.818 shot percentage). Eight more Gators found the back of the cage, including multi goal games from Emily Heller and Sarah Falk with two goals each. Ashley Gonzalez, Cate Isaacson, Josie Hahn, Ava Tighe, Lea Flobeck and Paisley Eagan all scored one.
UF totaled double-digit assists for the sixth-consecutive game, finishing with 11 on the day. Hall, Pavinelli, Gonzalez and Tighe all passed out two assists, along with Heller, Gabbi Koury and Madison Waters having one apiece.
Liz Harrison led the way at the center circle for the Gators, controlling 14 draw controls in route to them winning that battle 18-8 as a team. Harrison’s 14 draw controls give her 135 on the season, passing Sabrina Cristodero for the most draw controls in a season at Florida. The senior is averaging 12.27 draw controls per game, good for first in the country.
The Florida defense held their opponent to under five goals for the second time this season, holding the Monarchs to just 13 shots. Heller tied a season best with two caused turnovers, along with Georgia Hoey and Elyse Finnelle stopping three shots each.
How It Happened
* After a save by Hoey on an Old Dominion free position shot and a successful clear on the first possession of the game, Waters found Pavinelli on a little pick and roll action for the score to make it 1-0 with 12:16 left.
* After almost four minutes of scoreless play, Falk drew a free position opportunity and converted on it, making it 2-0.
* Two minutes and 14 seconds later, Hall dodged strongly to her left, before shooting and scoring making it 3-0 with 6:14 remaining.
* Following a Monarchs score at the 4:49 mark, Florida converted off an Old Dominion turnover, where Tighe found Hall for the goal. Hall then dished out her 100th career assist, finding Pavinelli for the score. Florida led 6-1 after one.
Second Quarter
* A minute and 14 seconds into the second, Hall connected on an unassisted goal, good for her third hat-trick of the season, increasing the lead to six.
* Emma Arnold scored her first and only goal of the game at the 12:37 mark, making it 6-2.
* The Gators went on an 8-0 run to end the half, with five different goal scorers contributing. Hahn and Eagan had one, with Hall, Pavinelli and Heller having two each. Hall and Pavinelli ended the half with four goals each, as UF outshot Old Dominion 11-2 in the quarter. Florida led 14-2.
Third Quarter
* Florida came out of the break with three more goals from the sticks of Tighe, Falk and Gonzalez to conclude an 11-0 extended Gators run. Florida opened up the lead to 17-2 with 8:34 left in the quarter.
* An Old Dominion goal at the 6:08 mark was the rest of the scoring we saw for the quarter, with UF leading 17-3.
Fourth Quarter
* The Gators put in two more goals, as Flobeck and Isaacson joined the scoring party, making it 19-3 Florida.
* A late Monarchs score did it for the afternoon, as the Florida lacrosse team closed the deal on a 19-4 win.
Coach O’Leary’s Insight
“It was another successful day at the Diz. Our team played some of their best lacrosse today, finding the back of the net on 19 of 26 shots. Our defense and goalkeeping were solid again today, holding a good Old Dominion team to four goals. ”
On Jada Strong Day
“The highlight of the day was honoring Jada! She has been such an inspiration to us all, and we are extremely lucky to have her as an honorary member of our team,” said Coach Amanda O’Leary.
Key Notes
* Florida moves to 5-0 all-time against Old Dominion
* This is the Gators 13th straight regular season home win
* Pavinelli recorded her fourth hat-trick of the season, and Hall recorded her third
* Falk had her second multi goal game in a row, and it’s her fourth in six games
* The Gators move to 16-0 at home all-time in AAC play
* Gonzalez tied Shannon Kavanagh for fifth all-time in assists
* Hall recorded her 100th career assist, and Liz Harrison set the season record for most draw controls with 128
Season/Career Highs
* Ava Tighe – career high two assists, season high two ground balls
Active Streaks (eight games or better)