The opening season gauntlet on Florida’s schedule is fully living up to its murder row billing.
After losing at home to the No. 2 North Carolina Tar Heels, the Gators followed up with a loss on the road to the No. 5 Maryland Terrapins. The all-time series moves to a 6-1 Terrapins advantage.
UF midfielder Danielle Pavinelli was the lone bright spot for a quiet Gators offense, finishing with a hat trick and an assist. Junior midfielder Emily Heller also scored three goals and sophomore attacker Maggi Hall contributed a trio of assists.
Standout freshman Emma LoPinto was held scoreless, finishing with just one shot the whole game. Sophomore Ashley Gonzalez finished with just one goal on one shot.
Senior goalie Sarah Reznick was peppered all afternoon, making a season-high 14 saves but still giving up 18 goals. The Terrapin barrage led to Reznick recording the third-most saves in UF history. Reznick also scooped a team-high four ground balls.
The Terps rolled from the start, opening to a 7-1 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Gators only registered three shots compared to Maryland’s 13. Pavinelli scored early to tie it at 1-1, but from that point, the hosts ran away with the game. The Gators answered back in the second period, fighting to the tune of five goals. UF clamped down on the Maryland offense, aided by three Reznick saves. Florida entered the half down by just three goals and with all the momentum.
That second quarter run turned out to be nothing more than a mirage.
Maryland returned to form in the second half, holding the Gators scoreless after mustering three shots in the third quarter. Reznick made six more saves to keep Florida alive, but the Terrapin onslaught was too much. The Terrapins broke through the Florida defense with nine second-half goals while continuing to silence the Florida offense.
The Gators’ schedule gets no easier next weekend when the Gators host the No.4 Stony Brook Seawolves. Opening draw is set for 10 a.m. Saturday. Live streams will be available on Youtube.
Topher Adams is a fourth-year communications major and in his fourth semester with the Alligator. He previously covered football, baseball and women's basketball. He also enjoys professional lacrosse and Major League Soccer.
