With just one goal separating Florida and Stetson heading into the second quarter of Tuesday’s match, the Gators responded. Florida exploded for a 10-goal frame, with seven different players finding the back of the net.
Among them was freshman midfielder Riley Zusi, whose first career shot as a Gator became her first goal. Meanwhile, three other Florida players scored multiple times in the second quarter. Freshman attacker Clarke Hamilton and redshirt freshman attacker Frannie Hahn each tallied two goals, while freshman midfielder Gabby Greene scored twice en route to earning her first career hat trick.
“We settled in and started finding our shots,” UF head coach Amanda O’Leary said. “This team just never settles for less.”
The dominant second quarter, combined with stifling defense, powered No. 4 Florida (13-2, 3-0 Big 12) to a 20-4 win over Stetson (5-9, 0-5 ASUN), securing its 10th straight victory.
Hamilton led the team with three goals and two assists, while six other Gators recorded multi-point performances. Hahn added two goals and an assist, and graduate student attacker Jordan Basso chipped in two goals. Junior attacker Ava Tighe finished with two goals and an assist, while freshman midfielder Ryann Frechette contributed a goal and three assists. Junior midfielders Kaitlyn Davies and Sydney Wilson also added a goal and an assist apiece.
One key area of dominance came in the draw circle, where UF won 18 draw controls to Stetson’s nine. Junior midfielder Cali Bishop led the way with five. Defensively, the Gators converted all 14 of their clearing attempts, collected 18 ground balls and forced 12 turnovers.
“We were outstanding defensively from start to finish,” O’Leary said. “They were absolutely stellar.”
Redshirt junior Elyse Finnelle, the reigning Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Week, was sharp in the cage, making four saves while allowing only one goal. With Florida leading by 11 at the break, graduate student Georgia Hoey and freshman Susan Radebaugh both saw time in net down the stretch, combining for four saves and three goals allowed.
On the other end, Stetson freshman goalie Maddie Eckert made six saves while giving up 16 goals. Freshman Catherine Downes and redshirt sophomore Bailee Lizza also made brief appearances, combining for two saves and four goals allowed.
Eckert and Finnelle each came up with big saves early in the first quarter to keep the scoring tight. Greene nearly broke through for Florida, but her opening shot hit the post. Stetson struck first on the next possession. However, Basso and Greene responded to give the Gators a one-goal lead after 15 minutes.
The second quarter was far more lopsided. Florida outscored Stetson 10-0 in the period, outshooting the Hatters 15-2. Davies opened the scoring three minutes in, and the Gators didn’t look back. Greene completed her hat trick with just under five minutes left, and UF entered halftime up by 11.
Florida rotated heavily in the second half, but the Gators stayed hot, adding four goals in the third quarter. Notably, senior midfielder Macy Zaban scored her first of the season — and the second of her UF career. In the final frame, UF tacked on four more goals, including Wilson’s first career score. The Gators outscored Stetson 8-3 in the final 30 minutes.
“There really was no drop-off from our starters to our bench unit today,” O’Leary said. “It's really exciting when they can play at that high of a level.”
Florida will face Cincinnati in Gainesville on Saturday at noon.
Contact Max Bernstein at mbernstein@alligator.org. Follow him on X @maxbernstein23.
Max is in his fourth semester at The Alligator, and he is the Spring 2025 lacrosse reporter and a second-year journalism sports & media major. He is a big South Florida sports fan, and likes to go to concerts with his friends and family.
