Make that two unseeded teams advancing to the NCAA quarterfinals on Thursday.
Florida joins Michigan as an unseeded team to advance past Sunday’s second round, as the Gators dominated the final 15-plus minutes of a 13-8 win over fifth-seeded Virginia.
Two potent offenses were locked in something of a goalie battle through three quarters. Ashley Gonzalez finished a feed from Maggi Hall with 29 seconds left in the third quarter for an 8-7 Florida lead, giving the Gators a lead after a 10-minute stretch during which they were stifled by Virginia’s Mel Josephson (11 saves).
Elyse Finnelle did good work in the cage for Florida during that time, too, and she finished with six saves.
When it was time for a rally, Florida leaned on Liz Harrison in the circle. Virginia simply didn’t have an answer for one of the nation’s best draw-takers. She controlled 11 draws on her own, and the Gators’ 19-6 advantage was simply too much to overcome late.
The draw wins seemed to make everything spiral out of control in the fourth quarter. Florida made it 9-7 after Sarah Falk’s free position goal to open the fourth quarter. Then Danielle Pavinelli turned a Virginia turnover into another goal. Paisley Eagan scored just under two minutes later to make it 11-7, then Harrison won the draw and Gianna Monaca found Hall to make it 12-7.
With things already snowballing out of control, Josephson turned it over on a clear attempt and Pavinelli scored her 52nd goal of the year to make it 13-7. Florida, meanwhile, was a perfect 22-for-22 clearing the ball.
Florida moves on to face fourth-seeded Maryland in College Park on Thursday. The Gators beat the Terps 13-12 in overtime on Feb. 24.
But that was February lacrosse. This is May. And anything can happen.
