Coming off a loss to Penn State where Florida amassed 21 shots and only three in the second half, the Gators got back to their fire-and-score ways.
They were able to force a total of 36 shots on the Johns Hopkins defense, putting 19 of those in the back of the net.
The No. 3 Gators (14-1, 2-1) found their style of play again on Saturday, beating down No. 17 Blue Jays (7-5, 1-2) 19-9.
In Florida’s four years of play against Johns Hopkins, Saturday’s 10-goal victory is its largest against the Blue Jays.
“You’re always worried about how a team will do when coming off of a loss, and our team responded really well,” coach Amanda O’Leary said.
In a matter of 20 minutes, Florida launched eight goals to Hopkins’ two.
Kitty Cullen and Ashley Bruns took over on offense for the Gators. The duo racked up a total of 10 goals, five each.
All five of Bruns’ goals came from the crease. She received the ball four times on the left side of the goal, gave a few pump fakes and consistently found the net. The fifth goal was from the right side.
“Ashley, I think, is the best crease player in the country,” Cullen said. “She's able to tool any defender on that crease, and she almost every time scores.”
Prior to Saturday’s game, Bruns had five goals in her last five games, dating back to Lehigh on March 12.
“I thought today was one of Ashley's best games,” O’Leary said. “She finished her shots, and she was smart with the ball.”
Cullen was no different on Saturday. She made spins and jukes around defender after defender until she could fire off a shot.
“In the past couple games, I haven't been generating enough shots, shooting three or four times a game,” Cullen said. “As a starting attacker, that's not what you want to be doing.”
She launched 13 shots on the day, which is her season high.
“She did exactly what we needed her to do,” O’Leary said. “She went to the goal hard, created some opportunities for us with her fast breaks and then was able to finish her shots.”
Senior attacker Kitty Cullen looks to score against UAlbany on Feb. 24 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Cullen scored two goals in her final game for the Gators.
