April 14, 2012
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The 17th-ranked Vanderbilt women’s lacrosse team closed out the American Lacrosse Conference portion of their 2012 schedule Saturday with a 17-5 loss to fifth-ranked Florida at Donald R. Dizney Lacrosse Stadium.
The Gators held a 15-9 advantage on draw controls and forced 20 Commodore turnovers to own the lion’s share of possession on the afternoon. Florida, winners of 10 straight, outshot Vanderbilt, 31-13.
Both teams scored in the game’s first four minutes, but junior Carly Linthicum’s goal at the 26:31 mark would prove to be Vanderbilt’s only tally of the first stanza. Two Gators had hat-tricks in the game’s first 16 minutes as UF built a 9-1 halftime advantage.
The Commodores would get no closer than seven goals in the second half. Senior All-American Ally Carey scored two goals, with senior Hannah Clark and freshman Alex Duckenfield also finding the back of the net.
Statistically, Vanderbilt was credited with 10 caused turnovers–including multiple takeaways by Carey, sophomore Alyssa Dunlap and senior goalkeeper Natalie Wills, who came out of the cage to make two great interceptions and made nine saves. The Commodores and Gators were even with 19 ground balls apiece. Vanderbilt was led by Dunlap and senior Kacie Connors with four each.
Vanderbilt will return to Gainesville in less than three weeks for the 2012 ALC Tournament, which begins on May 3. But first, Vanderbilt has two games remaining in the regular season. On Wednesday, the Commodores will travel to face No. 8 Notre Dame before returning home on Sunday, April 22, to play host to Jacksonville. Vanderbilt’s graduating senior class will be honored prior to that game.
