Gators Lacrosse Clinches Share of Big 12 Regular-Season Title
No. 5 Florida clinched a share of the Big 12 regular season lacrosse title Saturday with a 16-5 win at Cincinnati and extended its win streak to 10 games in the process.
Florida (13-2, 4-0 Big 12) used a dominant second half to pull away after a more competitive opening half to win its 14th conference championship and third straight.
The Gators came out fast, ripping off a 5-0 run in the opening quarter behind goals from Gabbi Koury, Boo DeWitt, Autumn Blair, Kaitlyn Davies and Caroline Hoskins. The ball was moving, the spacing was there and Florida looked in control.
Then things stalled. Briefly.
Cincinnati (8-8, 0-4) answered with two late first-quarter goals and found more rhythm in the second. It managed to capitalize on defensive gaps from Florida to convert a free-position opportunity.
Despite outshooting the Bearcats 13-6 in the quarter, Florida went into halftime with just a 7-3 lead, leaving points on the field and searching for consistency.
That inconsistency isn’t new, and it’s been a focus.
“We saw when we had great ball movement, we saw so much success,” coach Amanda O’Leary said after Florida’s home game against Jacksonville. “When the ball just died in our sticks, or we just made really bad decisions, I mean it just came back tough on us.”
Out of the halftime break, Florida flipped the switch to run its record to 15-0 against the Bearcats.
DeWitt completed her hat trick less than a minute into the third quarter, jumpstarting a five-goal surge that gave Florida full control. This time, the ball didn’t die in the sticks. Florida moved with purpose, found open space and forced Cincinnati to chase.
That’s the version of the offense O’Leary has been pushing for. And in the third, it finally clicked.
Clark Hamilton finally cashed in on a goal, after positioning herself in the top right behind the goal to draw defenders away. Davies, Ava Kristynik and Hoskins kept the scoring run going after.
By the end of the quarter, the Gators had built a nine-goal cushion and taken control.
DeWitt added her fourth goal of the day in the fourth quarter, with Frannie Hahn, Kennedy Richardson and Ryann Frechette each getting on the board. Cincinnati managed two late goals, but the outcome was never in doubt.
Florida also handled a key concern at the draw. Facing draw control specialist Morgan Handzel, who entered the game with 145 draw controls this season, the Gators held their own. Florida won 12-of-22, preventing Cincinnati from turning possessions into momentum.
In net, Susan Radebaugh recorded seven saves while allowing four goals across three quarters. Florida limited Cincinnati to 12 shots on goal, but lost the ground ball battle 9-5.
The Gators return home to continue conference play and conclude regular-season play against UC Davis on April 25.
Category: Big 12, Gator Sports, Gators Lacrosse
