Florida looked efficient on paper, but on the field, Ohio State had its way with the Gators.
UF took 29 shots compared to OSU’s 30, had 17 turnovers to 20 by its opponent, picked up 26 ground balls to 19 and controlled 14 of the 25 draws, but it was the Buckeyes (6-3, 1-1 American Lacrosse Conference) who finished on top, beating the Gators( 6-4, 0-2 ALC) 14-9.
The deciding stats in the game came from OSU, who converted on more of its shots, had 11 assists to just four from the Gators, saved more of UF’s opportunities and had no yellow cards to five from Amanda O’Leary’s squad.
“If you look at the stats, we’re fairly even,” O’Leary said. “It was just the fact that they capitalized on their shots, and we didn’t. It’s very simple: They put the ball in the back of the net and we didn’t.”
Freshman attacker Ashley Bruns led UF with two scores and two assists while midfielders Caroline Chesterman and Kitty Cullen each added one score and an assist.
UF entered the game on a three-game winning streak, but it could not capitalize on its opportunities against the Buckeyes when it mattered Saturday.
UF got off to a solid start, taking an early 1-0 lead on a Bruns goal, but the Buckeyes responded with two scores and went up 2-1. UF then reeled of three straight to grab its largest lead of the day, 4-2.
The lead disappeared when OSU added two more goals, but Florida reclaimed the edge with a score, going up 5-4 with13:25 left in the first half.
However, the Buckeyes closed out the half with a three-goal run and led 7-5 at the break.
“As we always say, against good teams, you can’t get into that type of set,” O’Leary said. “We have to not allow them to go on those runs.”
She noted that in all its losses this season, UF was unable to stop its opponent from going on runs.
The bleeding continued when Florida allowed OSU to score three more goals to open the second half. The Gators then traded scores with the Buckeyes but were unable to take back the lead.
“We might have to re-evaluate that halftime,” O’Leary said. “Maybe we don’t do a halftime, I don’t know. We came out of the locker room very flat, uninspired, and they came out very focused.”
