LYNCHBURG, Va. – The #9 ranked Florida Gators (10-3) went on the road to defeat the Liberty Flames (7-6) in convincing fashion, 16-7. The game briefly went to a running clock at half time after the Gators took a commanding 12-2 lead into the locker room.
Emma LoPinto and the Gators offense started fast as they jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first quarter, with LoPinto netting all four of the Gators’ goals. Her second of the day was her 100th career goal, tying Kitty Cullen’s program record for the fastest Gator to reach the 100 goal mark in only 35 games played. LoPinto would go on to lead the team in goals scored with five.
1⃣0⃣0⃣ CAREER GOALS… in 35 games 🤯
— Gators Lacrosse (@GatorsLAX) April 12, 2023
Emma LoPinto ties Kitty Cullen for the FASTEST player in Florida history to reach this milestone! #FLax | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/KJ95xWV1IO
Nine more Gators scored in the contest. Emily Heller and Danielle Pavinelli collected two, while Paisley Eagan, Jackie Norsworthy, Tayler Warehime, Ashley Gonzalez, Emerson Cabrera, Ava Tighe and Gianna Monaco each had one goal scored.
Pavinelli led the team with three assists, with Heller, Eagan, Tighe, Theresa Bragg, and Maggi Hall dishing one out as well. Catherine Flaherty also served up an assist in the victory to collect her first career point.
On the defensive side of the ball Heller and LoPinto led the team with two groundballs each while the team caused six turnovers.
Goaltender Sarah Reznick led the team from the back in her 37:19 in the net while only allowing two goals. She also collected 12 saves to give her a career-high .857 save percentage. Elyse Finnelle played the final 22-41 in the net, stopping a career-high eight shots with a .615 save percentage.
The Gators will return home this Saturday to take on AAC opponent East Carolina at 12 p.m. on ESPN+.