LAKELAND, Fla. — #2/#2 Florida Southern women's lacrosse used a dominant second quarter and a late-game surge to defeat #13/- Florida Tech 14-8 on Tuesday at Berend Field, as head coach Kara Reber earned her 300th career victory. The Mocs close their home regular season slate with a perfect 8-0 record at Berend Field.
Florida Southern (14-1, 6-0) opened the game with early energy, taking a 1-0 lead on a goal from Hanna Watson before Florida Tech answered with back-to-back scores. The Moccasins responded late in the period as Grace Curtin found the back of the net to even the score at 2-2 heading into the second quarter.
The Mocs took control in the second, outscoring the Panthers 6-2 in a decisive stretch. Charlie Laye sparked the run, while Jenna Vetter and Kelsey Bennett added back-to-back player-up goals. Florida Southern continued to apply pressure with scores from Kolby Cohen, Louise Aloi and Watson, building an 8-4 advantage at halftime.
In the third quarter, Florida Southern maintained its lead despite a brief push from Florida Tech. The Panthers struck twice, including a free-position goal, but Watson completed her hat trick midway through the period to keep the Mocs comfortably in front, 9-6, entering the final frame.
The Mocs put the game away in the fourth, opening with a natural hat trick from Riley Rivera in a span of less than three minutes. Watson added her fourth goal of the contest, and Vetter capped the scoring for Florida Southern as the Mocs outscored Florida Tech 5-2 in the quarter to secure the 14-8 victory.
Watson led Florida Southern with four goals, while Rivera recorded a standout performance with three goals and three assists. Vetter added two goals and one assist, and Kolby Cohen controlled the draw with a game-high nine draw controls. Goalkeeper Annesley Flint made five saves in the win. For Florida Tech, Gillian Craig led all scorers with five goals.
Up next, the Mocs will make up their rained out game against Palm Beach Atlantic tomorrow April 15th in West Palm Beach, Fla. to complete the regular season.
