No. 11 Florida lacrosse (8-2) team got off to a quick start and never looked back against the Furman Paladins (2-7) Tuesday for its eighth-straight victory.
This was the second time the two teams faced off in program history. In their last matchup, the Gators beat Furman 20-9 at home.
Furman struggled to keep the Gators out of the net. UF hit the 20-point mark in the third quarter.
Florida kicked off the matchup with five goals in the first five minutes from senior attacker Ashley Gonzalez, senior attacker Maggi Hall, graduate student midfielder Paisley Eagan and graduate student midfielder Sarah Falk. Eagan scored two in that span, and she recorded a hat trick in the opening quarter.
Florida outscored Furman 13-1 in the first quarter.
Gonzalez followed close behind with a goal in the second quarter to mark her second hat trick of the season.
UF freshman attacker Lea Flobleck scored twice, earning her first career multi-goal game.
Fourteen different Gators scored in the matchup, including a fourth-quarter goal from redshirt junior Jackie Norsworthy, her second of the season. Additionally, a behind-the-back shot by freshman attacker Delaney Radin in the third quarter secured her sixth career goal.
Florida redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Elyse Finnelle was in the net for the final 21 minutes of the game. She posted a save percentage of .667. Starting goalkeeper senior Georgia Hoey surrendered five goals, but recorded a save percentage of .167.
Furman had a second-half boost of energy, putting up five points. However, the Gators maintained their lead and easily cruised to a 23-7 win.
Florida outshot the Paladins 35-18 and won 22 of 31 draw controls.
Next, the Gators host Old Dominion University Saturday at noon. The game can be streamed on ESPN+.
Lacey Rogers is a third-year journalism major and sports reporter for The Alligator. She is a huge Washington Capitals fan and hopes to work for them after she finishes school.
