GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The eighth-ranked University of Florida Gators spotted Colgate a 1-0 lead then roared back with six unanswered first period goals en route to an 18-5 victory over the Raiders.
After scoring on its first shot of the game by Colgate's
Kendall Belanger just 1:23 into the contest, it took Florida just 55 seconds to even the score, and four minutes later the Gators took the lead for good. The lead bulged to 6-1 before the period ended. Gator All-America goal keeper Sarah Reznick made five saves in the period while Colgate netminder
Helena Morrison had four stops.
The run went to seven goals early in the second stanza until
Devon Maillet scored the Raiders' second goal off a free position shot at 11:18 of the period. The Raiders popped in their second goal of the quarter when
Kait Henning beat Reznick to pull the Raiders within four goals. The mini-run for Colgate was snuffed when Florida popped a goal by Morrison with 5:36 left in the half. A free position goal by Florida two minutes later increased the lead back to six. A second consecutive free position goal moved the Gators into double figures, followed by two more Florida goals and a 12-3 halftime advantage. Nine different Gators scored in the first 30 minutes.
The Gators lead went to 10 goals 1:08 into the second half and the run became eight straight before
Molly Krestinski scored on a free position attempt to make the score 14-4 with 2:35 left in the third quarter. Florida answered with a free position goal of its own with 0:54 left in the quarter and the period ended with Florida ahead 15-4.
Florida quadrupled the Raiders' output with a goal at 12:46 of the fourth period. Krestinski got her second goal of the game on a fast break making the score 16-5 with 7:50 left in the game, but Florida pushed the lead back to 12 on a free position goal with 3:37 remaining. The Gators ended the scoring with 1:04 showing on the clock for the 18-5 final.
Morrison had seven saves for the Raiders, including several from point blank range. 15 different Gators found the back of the net in the game including six goals off free position attempts.
The Raiders'
Cara O'Reilly held her own on the draw as each team registered 13 draw controls. Colgate had 16 turnovers in the game and placed 15 shots on goal. The Raiders were a perfect 13 clears in 13 attempts.
UP NEXT
Colgate hosts the Boston University Terriers in the team's Patriot League opener on Saturday, March 18, at 1:00 PM at Crown Field at Andy Kerr Stadium.
