Florida Lacrosse Advances to Final Four, To Face Top Seed Northwestern

The Florida lacrosse team rolled fourth-seeded Maryland 15-9 Thursday to advance to the NCAA Tournament semifinals for the second time in program history with its 20th consecutive win.

FLAX IS HEADED TO THE FINAL FOUR!!!!! #FLax | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/FaZQLokiMR

— Gators Lacrosse (@GatorsLAX) May 16, 2024

Offensive Power In First Quarter

Unseeded Florida (20-2) started the game with a goal from Danielle Pavinelli 32 seconds in. Less than a minute later, senior Madison Waters chipped in with a goal of her own.

Maggi Hall, Ashley Gonzalez, Sarah Falk and Emily Heller joined the offensive barrage to power the Gators to an early 9-0 lead.

Following a foul late in the first period, Maryland attacker Hannah Leubecker came back with a goal on a free position shot to end the quarter.

After early fireworks from the underdog Gators, each team was limited to one goal in the second quarter.

Hall and Maryland’s Lauren LaPointe each scored to make the quarterfinal match 10-2 at halftime.

Steady Defense

Although it was a physical game, host Maryland was unable to find the goal because of Florida’s strong defense.

However, the Terrapins (14-6) went on a 4-1 run over a near-six minute span in the third quarter. This cut the Florida lead to six goals, but Hall responded with a free-position goal to end the third quarter with the Gators up 13-6.

Hannah gets her second of the day.

We've scored four of the last five. Florida leads 12-6. pic.twitter.com/Vanli9LDTP

— Maryland Women's Lacrosse (@MarylandWLax) May 16, 2024

After attempting a late-game comeback, the Terrapins took the loss at Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park.

Florida goalie Elyse Finnelle made 10 saves to limit Maryland, which also lost to the visiting Gators 13-12 in OT on Feb. 24.

Making History

Senior attacker Hall led the Gators with six goals on eight shots on goal. She was named Player of the Game after breaking Florida’s program record for points (114) in a season.

Pavinelli recorded two goals and two assists, placing her at third all-time in career points and fourth in career goals.

With hit a milestone of 100 career goals with her two goals Thursday.

TICKET PUNCHED! 🎟️

We’re headed to North Carolina ✈️#FLax | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/aTb6Q9xtNl

— Gators Lacrosse (@GatorsLAX) May 16, 2024

Up Next

Florida, which first made it to the semifinals in 2012, will face top-seeded Northwestern (17-2), the tourney’s defending champion, at 3 p.m. Friday (ESPNU) in the first semifinal at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. Northwestern routed eight seed Penn 20-7 in another quarterfinal Thursday.

Two seed Boston College faces three seed Syracuse in the other semifinal at 5:30 p.m.

The semifinal winners will play for the national championship at noon Sunday on ESPN.