Mercer Falls to Florida in NCAA Tournament, 18-6
By Mercer Athletics
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The Mercer women's lacrosse team saw another excellent season come to a close in the NCAA Tournament with an 18-6 loss to No. 4 Florida Friday afternoon in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament from Donald R. Dizney Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.
Mercer made it's seventh NCAA Tournament appearance after winning its fourth consecutive Big South Tournament Championship last weekend. Mercer finishes the season with a 12-8 overall record.
The Bears were down just two after the first quarter, but the Gators outscored Mercer 8-1 in the second quarter to take command of the game. Shots in the game were 32-22, Florida. The Gators also were the better team in the draw circle winning 18 draws to Mercer's nine.
All six of Mercer's goals were scored by a different player. Caroline Glus led Mercer in points with three (1G, 2A).
Kayla Casey made eight saves in goal for Mercer. The Big South Defensive Player of the Year, Abby Soltys, led Mercer defensively with two caused turnovers and one ground ball.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams played well defensively to start with the first goal of the game coming Florida more than five minutes into the game.
Sofia D'Angelo scored Mercer's first goal of the game to bring Mercer within one at 2-1. Ansley Walters scored Mercer's other goal in the first quarter off an assist from Glus, before Florida added one more goal before the end of the quarter to take a 4-2 lead.
Florida scored the first eight goals of the second quarter as the Gators' offensively began to figure out Mercer's defense. Glus' 64th goal of the season stopped the run for the Gators to make it a 12-3 game heading into halftime.
Glus found Abby Vane cutting across the goal mouth and she quickly turned and scored to make it a 14-4 game in the third quarter.
Gabby Brisbin and Abby Morrison each scored in the fourth quarter for the Bears but the Gators earned the win to advance to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.
NOTABLES
It was Mercer's seventh NCAA Tournament appearance and third against Florida.
Six different Mercer players accounted for all six of the Bears' goals.
Kayla Casey made eight saves in goal for Mercer.
Neither team turned the ball over much as Mercer committed 12 turnovers to eight for Florida.
Six different Mercer players finished the season with at least 25 goals, the first time in program history in which that's occurred.
Caroline Glus led Mercer with 64 goals and 72 points on the season.
Abby Soltys led Mercer with 27 caused turnovers on the season.
Freshman Ayla Galloway led Mercer with 93 draw controls on the season.