March 18, 2018
Vanderbilt lacrosse ran stride for stride with No. 6 Florida on Sunday afternoon, but came up just short in the BIG EAST Conference opener, losing 11-10.
Gabrielle Fornia and Julie Blaze led the Commodores (5-3, 0-1 BIG EAST) with three goals each, while Shayna Pirreca scored four goals for the Gators (6-2, 1-0 BIG EAST).
VU fell behind 5-1 just over 10 minutes into the game, but the Dores got within one goal by holding Florida off the board for over 12 minutes while scoring three straight goals. Vandy tied the game at 6-6 with 4:25 left in the first half and went into the break down 7-6.
“We gave up five quick goals,” Vanderbilt head coach Cathy Swezey said. “But our defenders are really smart, experienced kids, and they just figure it out.”
Fornia notched her first collegiate hat trick in the loss. The freshman attacker scored two of Vanderbilt’s five free position goals in the game, each of which came after extended offensive possessions by the Commodore attack.
“I think we had to play a smart game against them,” Swezey said. “Knowing their speed, we didn’t want to get into a foot race. I’m happy to say that, coming out of the game, I think our speed is pretty comparable. Going in, I wasn’t certain that was going be the case. It was pretty cool to see that.”
Vanderbilt is the first team to hold Florida under 15 goals this season, forcing the Gators into 14 turnovers. The Commodores also outshot UF, 36-27.
“I’m very proud of my team today, I really am,” Swezey said. “Maybe the proudest I’ve ever been after a loss. They fought tooth and nail.”
The Dores continue BIG EAST Conference play on Sunday, March 25 at Butler. Opening draw is at 11 a.m. CT in Indianapolis.
