Bears Drop Game To No. 8 Florida, 15-6

Wednesday, March 22

Macon, Ga.

3 PM

Mercer University

5-2,0-0

#8 Florida

6-3,0-1

Florida

Mercer

3/22/2023 6:46:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

Mercer’s Carmella Fischer with career-day defensively

MACON, Ga. – The No. 8 Florida Gators scored 11 first half goals on its way to a 15-6 win over Mercer women's lacrosse on Wednesday afternoon.

In the fifth all-time meeting between the two programs over the last three years, the Gators would score the first seven goals of the game before Mercer responded with two of their own.

Florida had 27 shots on goal to Mercer's 18 and had the edge in draw controls with 18 to Mercer's seven. The Gators scored four of their 15 goals from the free position.

Carmella Fischer had one of her best games as a Bear, recording a career-high seven ground balls and six caused turnovers.

Last week's Big South Defensive Player of the Week in Emma Pizzo had four draw controls, three ground balls and three caused turnovers. All six of Mercer's goals were scored by a different player.

Kayla Casey entered in goal for the Bears late in the second quarter and recorded a season-high seven saves with a .538 save percentage.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After Florida opened the scoring less than a minute into the game, each team went scoreless over the next seven minutes of action in the first quarter.

The Gators led 5-0 after the first quarter and pushed their lead to 7-0 within the opening minutes of the second quarter.

The Bears responded with back-to-back goals in less than one minute from Hannah Lind and Lyndsey Lewis to make it a 7-2 game. Florida would score the next four to take an 11-2 lead into halftime.

Sami Lowinger scored the first goal in the second half, but the Gators would let the Bears back into it and led 15-4 after three quarters. Gabby DiVirgilio and Katie Giglio scored the last two goals of the game.

NOTABLES

Mercer caused 21 Florida turnovers, tied for the second-most turnovers the Bears have caused in a game this season.
Kate Vanderlinde and Kayla Casey combined for a season-high 12 saves for Mercer.
Mercer entered the game leading the Big South in shot percentage but had just a .222 shot percentage against the Gators.
Fischer's six caused turnovers were a career-high and the most caused turnovers by a Mercer player this season.

FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Lacrosse, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerWLAX (Twitter) and @Mercerwlax (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.