No. 15 Florida pummels No. 4 Maryland in NCAA quarterfinals, 15-9

Maryland trailed the entire game but finally grabbed momentum in the third — cutting Florida’s lead to six. But Maggi Hall won a free position and slammed her shot past Emily Sterling to put a dagger in Maryland’s comeback hopes. 

Florida dominated Maryland, 15-9, in the NCAA quarterfinals. The Terps dropped to 5-6 at home, the program’s first ever losing record at The Plex. 

Florida came into Thursday’s contest against Maryland leading the country in goals per game and scoring margin. The Gators proved why they possess the nation’s top offense against the Terps, scoring on 15 of their 24 shots. 

Hall entered the match with the third most points in the NCAA. She delivered another strong performance, scoring six goals and picking up an assist. 

Maryland’s season long shooting woes carried over into this match. The Terps only put 18 of their 35 shot attempts on target. Hannah Leubecker especially struggled, only scoring on one of her nine shots.  

Florida trounced the Terps from the opening seconds, scoring on its first five possessions and beginning the game with nine unanswered goals. Danielle Pavinelli and Madison Waters netted goals within the first three minutes. 

Florida worked good looks with passes into the middle of the Terps’ defense, creating high percentage shots. The Gators kept the pressure on Maryland’s defense by winning five of the first seven draws. Florida was efficient with its extra possessions, putting all 11 of its first quarter shots on target. 

Maryland’s offense struggled to find space against Florida’s pestering defense with seven first half turnovers. 

“We only had the ball a couple times on offense in the first quarter and we turned it over, so the chance that we had to stop runs, we didn’t do that and we didn’t shoot well today either,” coach Cathy Reese said. “Once we dug ourselves into a hole, we won the rest of the game but it’s a little too late.”

Pavinelli put her stamp on this contest, scoring twice early. Madison Waters and Hall also netted two first quarter goals each. 

Leubecker finally got Maryland on the scoreboard late in the first quarter as she slammed home an emphatic top corner goal on a free position.

Hall scored her third goal early in the second quarter. The Terps’ backline then finally stepped up and shut out the Gators for the rest of the half. 

But Maryland couldn’t use the scoring drought to cut into the lead. Florida’s defensive unit swarmed the Terps and closed down any available space. Lauren LaPointe scored Maryland’s only goal of the quarter. 

Gators’ goalie Elyse Finnelle was sharp in the cage, recording 10 saves while allowing nine goals. She looked unbeatable for stretches and forced the Terps to hold the ball longer — searching for perfect shots.

Maryland started to grab momentum and ignite a comeback in the second half. Maggie Weisman and Eloise Clevenger scored back-to-back goals and fueled a 4-1 run.

Maryland controlled possession in the third quarter as the offense looked for a spark. The Terps created 14 shots in the quarter but didn’t shoot well, only putting six attempts on net. Florida only created five shots in the third but scored three times. 

“We just wanted to chip away one at a time and make plays when we could and unfortunately like I said we didn’t make enough,” Reese said.

Maryland needed goals in the fourth quarter but couldn’t even maintain possession. The Terps only created five shots in the quarter and never threatened to make the final score close. 

The match devolved into a physical mess late as both sides showed their frustration. Defender Kennedy Major took a big hit and left the field visibly shaken up. 

The loss marks the first senior class in Reese’s seventeen years as head coach to not win a national championship during their time in College Park.

“Sad that this is the last game for our seniors and fifth years,” Reese said. “You’ve got such a great group of people that have given so much to Maryland. There’s just so much to be proud of over the last five years and sometimes that gets lost with our program.”