GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A program-record 16 Gators scored goals during No. 8 Florida's, 20-1, victory over Cincinnati on Wednesday afternoon at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. The win improved the Gators to 6-0 in the BIG EAST, and with UConn's loss to Georgetown Wednesday night, UF clinched the regular-season conference title.
As they have done all season during conference play, the Gators' explosive offense fired shot after shot past their opponent's goalkeepers.
Sophomore Mollie Stevens tallied the game's first goal at the 28:59 mark after firing a shot low post. The goal was Stevens' 32nd of the season and increased her streak of consecutive games with a goal to 20 games, which tied a program record held by Ashley Bruns.
The Bearcats' defense had no answer for Florida's aggressive offense, as UF ran out to a 10-0 lead by the 16:22 mark in the first to force a running clock.
UF entered halftime with a 15-0 advantage despite all of its starters being pulled after 10 minutes of action.
The Orange and Blue defense allowed a season-low six shots and didn't give up a goal until 13:42 mark of the second half.
Junior Lauren Lea registered a game-high and tied a season high with four points on two goals and two assists. Junior Mary-Sean Wilcox shutout the Bearcats for the first half and made one save before being replaced by freshman Olivia Cole in the second.
Freshman Allie Pavinelli scored two goals and had an assist in Wednesday's win. (Photo: Jim Burgess)
Record
- Florida – 12-4, 6-0 BIG EAST
- Cincinnati – 2-13, 0-5 BIG EAST
Series Update
- With today's win, Florida improved to 2-0 all-time against Cincinnati
Numbers of Note
- The Gators can clinch the BIG EAST regular season title if UConn loses to Georgetown tonight. The game between the Huskies and Hoyas begins at 4 p.m.
- Florida has won 15-straight regular-season conference games dating back to 2013
- In five conference games, Florida has outscored its opponents, 111-26
- The Orange & Blue defense allowed a season-low six shots – the second-lowest total in program history
- A program record 16 Gators scored goals
- Four Gators tallied their first goals of the season: Angela Flister, Katharine Hamer, Mikki Offit and Alex Puller
- Hamer's goal was the first of her career
- Senior Shannon Gilroy netted one goal and now has 239 in her career, which ranks 13th all-time in NCAA Division I history
- Gilroy entered today's game leading the nation in points while ranking second in goals. She now has 78 points and 57 goals in 2015
- Gilroy's assist was her 21st in 2015, which is a new single-season career high
- Sophomore Mollie Stevens scored one goal and has now scored a goal in 20-consecutive games, tying the program mark held by Ashley Bruns
Mandee's Minute
Head coach Amanda O'Leary
On being able to use all players offensively and defensively today:
"I think it just builds confidence. I think it shows them that they can play anywhere and at any time. You don't know when you may need to have that in your arsenal. I was just really proud of the way they came out and competed, and no matter what position they were playing they did their job."
On the team mentality going into the conference tournament:
"Yes it does. Our practices are very intense, they're a little bit shorter in duration as the longer we get into the season but they're increasing in intensity. I think that combined with practice and these games it's preparing us the best we can for what's to come."
Up Next
Florida concludes the regular season on Saturday (April 18) when it travels to Connecticut (8-5, 3-1 BIG EAST). Opening draw is scheduled for noon and the game could decide the BIG EAST regular season champion if UConn defeats Georgetown tonight.
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