Florida Gators

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Junior Sammi Burgess led Florida with a hat trick and reigning Rookie of the Week Lindsey Ronbeck put up a team-high six points Wednesday in mid-week play as the No. 2 Gators capped off regular-season road action with a 17-5 win at Cincinnati. Five players had multiple-goal outings as UF put up its second-best offensive output of the season with 17 goals.
 
Florida improved to 15-1 on the season and an undefeated 6-0 in BIG EAST play. The Orange and Blue will wrap up the regular-season slate Sunday against UConn at noon. With the Huskies' win Wednesday against Georgetown, the BIG EAST regular-season champion will be determined Sunday in Gainesville. Florida will kick off the afternoon with its Senior Day celebration at approximately 11:40 a.m. prior to opening draw at The Diz.
 
Cincinnati started Wednesday's clash with two straight goals, but a Graziano success, followed by a Sydney Pirreca free-position goal evened the game at 2-2. From there, Florida took control. After the Bearcats two opening scores, the Orange and Blue used an 8-0 run for a comfortable lead before Cincy added its third of the afternoon at the 9:40 mark in the first.
 
UF added five more before halftime for a 13-3 margin at the break.
 
Unlike the high-scoring first period, the second featured just four goals from the Gators and two from the Bearcats for the eventual 17-5 final. Three of Florida's second-half goals highlighted the afternoon as senior Carly Ross scored her first goal since the Gators' season opener after being sidelined with a wrist injury. Freshman Alix Lopez found the back of the net for her first goal in BIG EAST play, her third career score, and senior Beth Willertz bounced in her first goal this season with 14 ticks on the clock in regulation.
 
Ross was Florida's second-leading point scorer Wednesday at Sheakley Athletics Center with four points, including her goal and three assists.
 
Florida was 4-for-9 on free-position shots, won the draw 13-10 and picked up 25 ground balls to Cincinnati's 17. The Orange and Blue also took 33 shots to Cincy's 11 on the day.
 
THE RECORDS
No. 2 Florida: 15-1, 6-0 BIG EAST
Cincinnati: 4-11, 0-5 BIG EAST
 
NUMBERS OF NOTE

 
O'LEARY ANALYSIS
"Cincinnati came out ready to play and scored two goals very quickly. I thought we responded well and made good adjustments throughout the entire game in order to play the Gators' tempo. Today was a very physical game and I thought we did some good things. We created some turnovers and once again had the opportunity to get a lot of players on the field this afternoon. Moving forward, we're still looking to improve on the draw and really battle for those 50-50 ground balls."
 
UP NEXT
The Orange and Blue return home for the regular-season finale and Senior Day against UConn April 24 at noon. Florida will then enjoy a week-long break before heading to Washington, DC, for the 2016 BIG EAST Tournament May 5-7 at Georgetown's Cooper Field.
 
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