Gators Lacrosse beats Vanderbilt

The #8 Gator lacrosse team played their final home game of the season Saturday in a win versus conference opponent Vanderbilt. Besides being the last game of the year at the Diz, it was also senior day for 17 Gators. Florida won the game with a final score of 22-6.

For our Seniors 🧡#FLax | #GoGators | Presented by @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/lzMI2wm6wN

— Gators Lacrosse (@GatorsLAX) April 22, 2023

First Quarter

It only took 85 seconds for senior midfielder Emily Heller to open things up for the Gators with the first goal of the game. After that, Heller waited less than 40 seconds to put another one in the back of the net. The Commodores responded with a goal of their own, but the Gators scored another six unanswered to end the quarter, including two from Emma LoPinto. The Gators held an 8-1 lead into the first break.

Back-to-back @emilyheller1 goals to open up the game 💪

Q1 | UF 2, Vandy 0#FLax | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/Lm1OxzIQI8

— Gators Lacrosse (@GatorsLAX) April 22, 2023

Second Quarter

Vanderbilt was down big to start the second quarter but they refused to quit. The Commodores scored two lightning-quick goals to trim the large Florida lead, but after that, the Gators went back to work. The Gators scored six of the last seven in the second quarter, including the third goals of the game for Heller and LoPinto. At the end of the first half, the Gators went to the locker room with a 10-point, 14-4 lead.

https://twitter.com/GatorsLAX/status/1649819948049653761

Third Quarter

The third quarter saw only the Gators extend their already big lead. Emily Heller continued her big day by scoring her fourth goal of the game. Goals from Ashley Gonzalez, Danielle Pavinelli, and Maggi Hall saw the Gators’ lead swell to 14. Florida held an 18-4 lead heading into the final quarter.

https://twitter.com/GatorsLAX/status/1649825351714115584

Fourth Quarter

A relatively quiet fourth quarter saw the Gators extend their lead. Florida scored four goals, including senior Sarah Mackey’s second of the season to close out the game. The Gators end the game with a win with a final score of 22-6.

Sarah sneaks one by Vandy to finish out Senior Day strong 💪

📺https://t.co/PGbsu0KkQf#FLax | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/OeMb9XdOvH

— Gators Lacrosse (@GatorsLAX) April 22, 2023

What’s next for Gators Lacrosse?

While the Gators have played their final home game of the season, they have two more regular season match ups to end the regular season. Their next game is on the road in Jacksonville versus the Jacksonville University Dolphins. That midweek match up is this Wednesday at 7 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.