Liberty University
7-6
Florida
10-3
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 5 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 16 |
| Liberty | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
No. 9 Florida Uses Quick Start, Big First Half to Top Liberty 16-7 on Wednesday
4/12/2023 5:49:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Liberty knew it was up for a challenge versus No. 9 Florida, and the Gators handled business in Lynchburg Wednesday, besting the Lady Flames 16-7 at the Liberty Lacrosse Field.
The loss ends Liberty's five game win streak, dropping the hosts to 7-6 for the season. Florida went to 10-3 on the season and 3-2 on the road.
The Lady Flames managed to outshoot the Gators 33-29 for the game, but Florida's 12-2 lead at the half was too much for Liberty to overcome. The Gators earned four straight goals to begin the game, all by Emma LaPinto. LaPinto surpassed 100 career goals in just her sophomore year. Lizzy Ferguson scored to narrow the deficit to 4-1, but the Gators scored the next six goals to create all the separation they needed.
The Lady Flames kept pushing in the second half, outscoring the Gators 5-4 in the final 30 minutes and outshooting the visitors 19-9 during that span.
Liberty defender Grace Loughery had a big day, notching a career high six ground balls and five caused turnovers. Attacker Celena Kerr led the Lady Flames with three points (2 g, 1 a) off the bench, including a highlight-reel behind-the-back goal midway through the fourth quarter.
The Lady Flames still seek their first win against the Gators after three tries. Liberty falls to 3-2 at home this season.
Scoring Summary
Liberty Goals: Celena Kerr 2, Jordan Sheive 1, Kelly Scott 1, Mackenzie Lehman 1, Andrea Colavito 1, Lizzy Ferguson 1
Liberty Assists: Celena Kerr 1, Jordan Sheive 1, Kelly Scott 1
Florida Goals: Emma LaPinto 5, Danielle Pavinelli 2, Emily Heller 2, Paisley Eagan 1, Ava Tighe 1, Ashley Gonzalez 1, Tayler Warehime 1, Gianna Monaco 1, Jackie Norsworthy 1, Emerson Cabrera 1
Florida Assists: Danielle Pavinelli 3, Theresa Bragg 1, Paisley Eagan 1, Catherine Flaherty 1, Maggie Hall 1, Emily Heller 1, Ava Tighe 1
Goalkeepers
W: Sarah Reznick 10-3, 12 saves
L: Taylor Gallarello 6-1, four saves
Turning Point
Florida scored 12 goals in the first half with the help of two big runs. Emma LaPinto scored the first four goals of the game, quickly followed by six straight tallies from the Gators in the second quarter including LaPinto's fifth goal of the game. LaPinto led all scorers with five goals. Florida led 12-2 at the break.
First Half Summary
• Florida kept all the pressure on the Lady Flames' defense, outshooting Liberty 20-14 in the half
• Gators goalkeeper Sarah Reznick notched 10 saves in the opening half
• Draw controls also favored Florida 11-5 in the first half.
• Liberty's lone goal of the second quarter came from Mackenzie Lehman for her 28th of the year.
Second Half Summary
• Liberty saw more success in the second half, but the lead the Gators created in the first was too much to get back in the game.
• The Lady Flames managed to outshoot the Gators by a 19-9 clip in the second stanza.
• Celena Kerr tallied two goals and an assist in the second half.
• Liberty grabbed three straight goals to begin the fourth quarter to narrow the lead to 14-6.
Key Stats & Notes
• Grace Loughery, a grad transfer from Navy, continues to be a focal part of the Lady Flames defense. Along with notching her third assist of the year, Loughery earned a career-high six ground balls and a career-best five caused turnovers. The Bedminster, Pa. native leads Liberty in ground balls (36) and caused turnovers (24) through 13 games.
• As a unit, The Lady Flames generated 15 caused turnovers, eclipsing their 11.75 per game mark that placed them sixth in the country entering the match. Liberty also scooped up 20 ground balls compared to Florida's 16.
• Celena Kerr earned her own career high in goals with two, giving her five on the year. Kerr also added an assist.
• Goalkeeper Taylor Gallarello's streak of six straight wins comes to an end. Gallarello managed to snag four saves in 30 minutes of play.
• Florida outdrew the Lady Flames 18-9, as the Flames were led by Lizzy Ferguson. Ferguson is up to 119 draws on the year and 225 for her career. Her 225 draws are second most in program history. She moved past Carly White (224 draws, 2017-21) for second place today and needs only nine more draws to become the program's all-time record holder.
• The Gators cashed in from free position going 4-of-5 while Liberty went 2-of-8 from free position.
• Cami Merkel led the Lady Flames in shots with seven, followed by Mackenzie Lehman and Tori Banks who each shot six times.
• Liberty's Madeleine Klunder had four caused turnovers, a career high for the redshirt freshman defender out of Fairfax Station, Va. Klunder also scooped up two ground balls.
Up Next
• Liberty (7-6, 3-0 ASUN) comes back to action on Saturday to take on Stetson (7-5, 0-2 ASUN). First draw is set for noon from the Liberty Lacrosse Field.
• Liberty looks to get back on the winning track and keep their success against the Hatters rolling as they have won all four matchups with Stetson. Liberty handled the Hatters to a 22-9 tune last season on April 9.
Main Photo at Top of Story: No. 28 Jordan Sheive
