No. 5 Maryland women’s lacrosse falls in overtime to No. 16 Florida, 13-12

Time was ripe for a hero in overtime. Florida’s Emily Heller rose to the occasion.

The attacker ripped a shot past goalie Emily Sterling to push the Gators over the Terps. Heller and her teammates celebrated the victory while the Terps watched what appeared to be a win early escape their grasp, falling 13-12 to No. 16 Florida. 

“We know that everybody’s best game is going to come out when they play us,” Sterling said. “It helps us play harder, playing up at the next level. And today, Florida just got that upper hand on us.”

The Gators came out of the gate with energy and gave No. 5 Maryland all it could handle. Josie Hahn opened the scoring for Florida after an early Maryland foul. Maggi Hall continued the Gators’ scoring later in the frame and beat Sterling with a quick move from the left side of the net. 

Hailey Russo and Maisy Clevenger had quick answers after both Florida goals, each scoring to tie the match back up. 

Maryland grabbed momentum late in the first quarter with quality passes to free up shooters in front of the net. 

A picture-perfect pass from Shannon Smith freed up Eloise Clevenger who converted the golden opportunity to put the Terps in the lead. Libby May and the senior Clevenger followed with a pair of late first-quarter goals to extend the Maryland lead to two after one period. 

Kori Edmondson carried Maryland’s scoring into the second quarter. She slung a shot past keeper Elyse Finelle, who allowed seven goals and recorded two saves in a rough performance. The midfielder netted another score less than 30 seconds later. 

The goal prompted Florida to switch goalies and put in Georgia Hoey. This proved to be a turning point as Hoey played outstanding, saving seven shots and only allowing five goals. 

“Changing a goalie like that in the middle of a big game like this takes a lot and she stepped up big for them today for sure,” Maryland coach Cathy Reese said. 

The Terps’ defense complemented the scoring and caused the Gators’ offense havoc. Maryland forced five first-half turnovers and threw off the rhythm of Florida’s attackers.  

The Terps controlled the faceoffs against Drexel to their advantage, but the Gators held their own early, winning three out of the first five. Maryland then won the next five draws to seize control of the match. Later on in the fourth quarter, Florida controlled all six draws, a massive factor in its comeback. 

Florida won the opening faceoff of the second half and Madison Waters cut the Maryland lead to four with a goal of her own. 

Free position opportunities were also crucial in the second half. Hannah Leubecker scored from the spot for the Terps at the 12:10 mark of the third quarter. But Maryland finished one for five overall from free positions. 

“We didn’t execute our eight meter opportunities or man-ups,” Reese said. “There’s something real simple that we need to at least be 50 percent in.” 

Paisley Eagan then scored two straight, including one from the spot to help Florida regain its early intensity. Madison Waters’ second goal capped off a 3-0 run from the Gators to cut the Maryland lead to just two. 

The Terps and Gators traded goals back and forth in the third quarter. Victoria Hensh and Maisy Clevenger both scored for Maryland but most of the quarter was dominated by Florida.

The Gators’ offense caused problems for the Terps behind the terrific play of Waters. She completed her hat trick with just eight seconds remaining in the third to cap off a sequence where Florida scored three of the last four goals and cut the lead to just one. 

The Terps didn’t fade away. Eloise Clevenger responded by beating the keeper for the first goal of the final quarter. 

Eagan and Maggi Hall netted goals to tie it at eleven but Libby May scored for Maryland to regain the lead. 

The Terps had numerous chances to extend the lead late but the Gators’ defense held strong to give themselves one last chance. 

Eagan stepped up with a clutch goal to tie. The Gators won the final draw of the period and had a chance for a winner. But Sterling stepped up once again and made a clutch save to send the match to overtime. She made 11 saves in another excellent performance. 

Liz Harrison controlled the opening draw of overtime and gave Florida an opportunity to win the match. Heller didn’t even give the Maryland offense a chance, stepping up to bury the winner and seal the victory.