Florida is on a roll. After a mediocre start to the season, the Gators have now won three straight games as AAC play draws near.
These wins have come in a variety of ways for head coach Amanda O’Leary’s squad: A statement win against a ranked opponent, a narrow win saved from the clutches of defeat and on Wednesday, a victory better compared to a steamroller hitting fresh pavement.
No. 11 Florida defeated Stetson 19-5 in an absolute slaughter of the Hatters. Stetson recorded more turnovers than shots while UF notched its second-highest points total of the regular season. Five Gators scored Thursday evening, including four from freshman Emma LoPinto.
Danielle Pavinelli would earn the opening goal for Florida under two minutes into the contest. Emily Heller would score the back-toback to increase the UF lead to 2-0 before inclement weather put the game on hold. After roughly 45 minutes of delay, the Gators’ offensive spectacle was ready to resume. Florida scored four more unanswered to close the first quarter up 6-0.
Stetson would strike first in the second quarter. The Hatters managed to notch two goals before halftime, but this paled in comparison to Florida’s attacking onslaught. The Gators equaled their first quarter total with six more goals. Two scores came from Maggi Hall, fresh off of her national offensive player of the week nomination. Florida closed the half out with a nearly insurmountable lead, 12-2.
The second half was more of the same for the Gators. Florida found the back of the net seven more times and spread the fun around, with Janine Suris and Albert Whitney recording their first goals this season. Stetson only managed three goals in the entire half on the way to a dominant UF win.
Next up, Florida travels to Tempe, Arizona, to take on its penultimate opponent before conference play in Arizona State. The Sun Devils are 4-3 overall and undefeated at home, and received votes despite going unranked in the most recent IWLCA poll. ASU will be up against a quick turnaround, facing USC on March 25 before heading back home that Sunday to face the Gators.
Opening draw for UF vs. ASU is set for Sunday, March 27 at 1 p.m.