No. 8 Florida Lacrosse Keeps Rolling in San Diego
For four games straight, the Gators scored below their average of 15.75 goals a game. On Saturday, they ended that streak.
No. 8 Florida (11-2, 3-0 Big 12) secured a definitive 18-6 win against the San Diego State Aztecs (2-11, 0-3) to extend its win streak to eight and stay on top of the Big 12. After multiple games of the defense carrying the team, the offense stole the show.
A major reason Florida dominated was its improvement on the draw, one of the team’s biggest weaknesses since February. The Gators won all eight draw controls in the first quarter, holding San Diego State without a shot attempt in the period. Florida finished with 18 draw wins, its best showing since facing Kennesaw State.
Possessions create opportunities, and the Gators capitalized on nearly every chance they were given.
Florida took 32 shots, with 23 attempts alone coming from the first half. Eventually, shots turned into goals. Ten Gators notched at least one goal and ended their scoring droughts, including sophomores Caylin Luciano and Ryann Frechette, who scored their first goals since Kennesaw State, and freshman Jameson Swords, who scored her second career goal in the third quarter.
Two Gators also earned a hat trick. Kaitlyn Davies, the lead scorer Saturday with a new season-high of four, notched her hat trick in the first quarter. Clark Hamilton once again contributed to the offense and earned a 10th hat trick.
Despite the blowout, the Gators still have work to do. Florida committed 11 turnovers to the Aztecs’ nine. Coach Amanda O’Leary emphasized in the team’s midweek matchup against USF that good teams will take advantage of turnovers and not a habit the Gators want to have going into the postseason.
Additionally, Florida’s defense and offense lost steam in the fourth quarter. The Gators won just two of seven draw controls in the period, allowing San Diego State to gain possession and mount a push.
With Maya Soskins in goal, her first action since March 29 against Arizona State, the Aztecs scored four consecutive goals late.
Consistency remains a point of emphasis for O’Leary.
“We have our highs, and then we have our lows,” she said following their win against Penn. “I would just love to get some consistency.”
Florida returns to Donald R. Dizney Stadium on Wednesday at 4 p.m. to face the Jacksonville Dolphins.
Category: Feature Sports News, Gators Lacrosse
