Lacrosse Falls to #2 Florida in BIG EAST Tournament Semifinals

Thursday, May 4

Villanova, Pa.

4:30 p.m.

Temple University

13-5

Florida (BIG EAST Semifinal)

16-2

Temple

Florida

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Lacrosse Falls to #2 Florida in BIG EAST Tournament Semifinals

5.4.17 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Despite a career-tying five goals for senior Brenda McDermott, Temple lacrosse's season ended at the hands of #2 Florida in the semifinals of the BIG EAST Conference Championships. The Owls (13-5) hung in the game early, but ultimately lost 21-9 to the powerhouse Gators (16-2).

"The story of today was that this is the best team game we've played all season long," said head coach Bonnie Rosen. "No one would believe that, looking at the score, but they played as a team today from the defensive end through the midfield to the attacking end, and played with more fight from start to finish than we had all year. To walk away ending your season like that, we walk away with our heads held high."

All of Temple's scoring came from seniors, with Carly Demato and Anna Frederick adding two goals apiece to McDermott's five while senior Brooke Williams tallied one assist.

"It's a good game to go out on to end my lacrosse career," said an emotional McDermott afterwards. "What we experienced on the field tonight was something I never could have expected or asked for. Just the energy everyone brought to the field was amazing."

Unlike the Owls' previous game against the Gators, they ultimately held their own on the draw, getting 13 draw controls to Florida's 18. Both teams finished with 10 caused turnovers as McDermott and freshman Kara Nakrasius led the Owls with three apiece.

After getting in a 3-0 hole early in the game, Temple showed its resiliency with two-goal spurts on two occasions before the Gators really pulled away. With 10:22 left in the first half the Owls were within two goals at 6-4, but Florida rattled off seven straight to start putting the game out of reach.

McDermott completed her hat trick just before halftime, but the Owls trailed 14-5 at the break. Florida went on to score six straight goals to open the second half before Temple scored four of the game's final five goals including two by McDermott.

Mollie Stevens and Lindsey Ronbeck notched five and four goals, respectively, to lead Florida, with Sammi Burgess tallying a game-high four assists.

Temple senior Morgan Glassford recorded a game-high four draw controls in her final game, and finishes her career with a program-record 174 draw controls.

The Owls' 13 wins matches their total from a year ago, with both seasons tying for the most program wins since 2008.