With two games remaining in its regular season, everything is seemingly coming together for Florida lacrosse. On Saturday against Cincinnati, the Gators dominated from the first draw to the final whistle, controlling every aspect of the game.
A major highlight came in net, where redshirt junior goalkeeper Elyse Finnelle was nearly unbeatable. She recorded eight saves and surrendered just one goal, earning her fifth straight victory. By the time the Bearcats got on the board, the Gators had already scored 12, with Finnelle stopping Cincinnati’s first six shots on goal.
“She’s playing better and better every single match,” Florida head coach Amanda O’Leary said. “Her best lacrosse is still in front of her.”
Ultimately, No. 4 Florida (14-2, 4-0 Big 12) cruised to a 20-2 win over Cincinnati (8-8, 1-3), marking the Gators’ 11th straight victory. UF has now outscored its last two opponents 40-6, notching the 20-goal mark in both games. The Gators had only reached that total once this season in a 22-9 win over Mercer on March 15.
Florida’s offense fired on all cylinders, with six players tallying three or more points. Redshirt freshman attacker Frannie Hahn led the way, posting a match-high five points on one goal and four assists. Junior attacker Gianna Monaco and junior midfielder Kaitlyn Davies each scored a team-high four goals, while graduate midfielder Jenny Markey added three. Graduate attacker Jordan Basso chipped in with four assists, and freshman attacker Clark Hamilton and sophomore midfielder Gabbi Koury each recorded two goals and an assist.
Defensively, Florida dictated the tempo and forced Cincinnati into low-percentage opportunities. The Bearcats missed the target on six of their 19 shots and committed several shot-clock violations. Florida also converted 17 of its 18 clearing attempts.
“I really can't say enough about how good our defense has played,” O’Leary said. “They’re all doing their jobs, and doing them very well.”
Finnelle played the first 40 minutes in goal before graduate student Georgia Hoey and freshman Susan Radebaugh split the final 20 minutes. They combined for three saves while allowing just one goal. For the Bearcats, sophomore Hailey Darko let in 16 goals with six saves, while freshman Bella Kerr gave up four more and made one save.
Florida opened strong, outscoring Cincinnati 8-0 in the first quarter, with six different Gators netting a goal. Koury led the surge with two and an assist, while Davies added two more goals, including a highlight-reel play where she caused a turnover, picked up the ground ball, and scored on a breakaway. Cincinnati managed just two shots on goal in the quarter and both were stopped by Finnelle.
Davies completed her hat trick early in the second quarter, while Monaco, Hahn and Markey all added to the lead. Though Cincinnati controlled more draws and possession in the frame, it managed just one goal, as Finnelle made five saves. Florida entered halftime up 13-2.
In the second half, Florida rotated its lineup but remained in control. Monaco and Markey completed their hat tricks in the third quarter, and the Gators outscored the Bearcats 5-1. In the final 15 minutes, Florida held Cincinnati scoreless while tacking on three more goals to seal the 18-point win.
“Competing from start to finish at this level was really wonderful, and I love how the team stepped up,” O’Leary said.
Florida will face Arizona State in its regular-season finale on April 26 at 10 a.m. at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
Contact Max Bernstein at mbernstein@alligator.org. Follow him on X @maxbernstein23.
Max is in his fourth semester at The Alligator, and he is the Spring 2025 lacrosse reporter and a second-year journalism sports & media major. He is a big South Florida sports fan, and likes to go to concerts with his friends and family.
