It was a defensive battle through the first three quarters of the Gators lacrosse matchup with James Madison.
However, Florida (13-2) broke ahead in the fourth quarter, scoring seven goals, to defeat the Dukes (10-4) 15-7.
Orange and Blue Weekend brought a full crowd to Donald R. Dizney Stadium. JMU fans chanted “Who let the dogs out” in purple and Gators fans chomped for their home team.
This was the Gators’ first ranked opponent since March 13, when they beat Princeton.
UF is now on a 13-game winning streak.
At halftime, the game was tied 4-4. Despite multiple shots on goal from both teams, goalkeepers Elyse Finnelle of Florida and Caitlin Boden of JMU stopped multiple shots, limiting the Gators and Dukes from finding the net.
James Madison was able to take its first lead of the game at 6-5 with two minutes into the third quarter after back-to-back goals.
Florida regained the lead after goals from midfielder graduate students Sarah Falk and Emily Heller.
After, senior attacker Maggi Hall scored a free-position shot for the Gators, giving them the first two-point advantage of the game 8-6.
At the start of the fourth quarter, senior attacker Ashley Gonzalez and sophomore attacker Gianna Monaco both found the net to give Florida a four-point advantage over the Dukes.
With nine minutes remaining in the game, the Gators were up 10-6.
Florida held JMU to one point during the fourth quarter and its offense scored seven goals.
James Madison senior attacker Isabella Peterson recorded a hat trick after scoring once in every quarter. No Gators scored more than twice.
Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Elyse Finnelle was in for all 60 minutes. She notched 12 total saves and posted a save percentage of .632.
Next, the Gators will go to Ohio to play the University of Cincinnati April 20 at noon.
Contact Lacey Rogers at lrogers@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @laceyyrog.
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.
