Sophomore attacker Emma LoPinto scored her 100th point against Michigan Sunday afternoon. She became the fastest player to record the achievement in Florida lacrosse history in the Gators’ season-opening win.
The Florida Gators (1-0) defeated the Michigan Wolverines (0-1) 17-8 in the first game of the season. LoPinto led the way on her career day. She scored four goals and provided three assists for the Gators.
Florida junior attacker Liz Harrison kicked off the game by winning the draw and receiving possession of the ball.
Junior attacker Danielle Pavinelli found LoPinto for the Gators’ first goal of the season. Junior midfielder Maggi Hall followed with an unassisted goal to put the Gators up 2-0.
Michigan and Florida went shot-for-shot throughout the first few minutes of the second quarter, resulting in a 4-4 tie. LoPinto broke the tie with an unassisted goal to put the Gators back in the lead at 5-4.
LoPinto assisted junior midfielder Madison Waters with 30 seconds left in the second quarter and put Florida up 6-4.
Florida redshirt senior midfielder Paisley Eagan scored the first goal of the third quarter. Hall, LoPinto and senior Emily Heller also tacked on goals.
After two consecutive goals by the Wolverines, Florida fired back with three uninterrupted scores by LoPinto, sophomore midfielder Josie Hahn and fifth-year midfielder Emily Diaz. The Gators ended the third quarter up 13-7.
Diaz opened the final quarter on the draw, and Florida maintained possession.
Hall scored the first goal of the fourth quarter after Michigan was charged a penalty to put UF up 14-7. LoPinto and Pavinelli recorded two more goals shortly after.
The Wolverines scored again after losing the penalty shot and regaining possession.
Waters had a breakaway run, which resulted in another goal for the Gators. She put Florida ahead, 17-8, to end the game.
The Gators will travel to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to play the reigning national champion North Carolina Tar Heels, at noon Saturday. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
Contact Kate Wiggins @kwiggins@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @katewigginz.
Kate Wiggins is a second-year advertising major and women's lacrosse reporter for The Alligator. Catch her pumping iron at Southwest Rec, double-scooting her friends to class, or dancing around at the nearest EDM concert.
