ChompTalk.com

The Florida Gators fell to No. 1 Northwestern 15-11 in the Final Four Friday to end an incredibly successful season. The loss ended the Gators’ twenty game winning streak and moved the Wildcats into the national championship for the second consecutive season.

Florida and Northwestern played fairly evenly through three quarters of play before a 55-minute weather delay due to lightning in the area. Upon return to the field, the Gators seemed a step behind the Wildcats and Northwestern took control, taking a 10-9 lead up to 14-9 and out of reach for the Gators.

The first half saw a back and forth affair between the two squads. Danielle Pavinelli and Maggi Hall scored goals for the Gators, but the team trailed 3-2 after the first period of play.

Neither team led by more than two goals until the fourth quarter. Hall scored a pair of goals late in the second to even the score at six. Northwestern would add a goal :30 seconds later to enter halftime with a 7-6 advantage.

The Gators tied the game just thirty seconds into the second half as Gianna Monaco scored a power play goal. A pair of goals by Northwestern followed by Hall and Pavinelli going back to back evened the game at 9. Northwestern made it 10-9 immediately after the media timeout.

Northwestern out shot the Gators 31-24 and possessed the draw controls 17-11.

Pavinelli became just the third Gator to reach 300 career points in the match. Hall finished the season with 65 goals and 119 points, a program record.