Florida Women’s Lacrosse Earns Thrilling Victory Over Duke to Punch Ticket to NCAA Final Four in Boston Showdown

The Florida women’s lacrosse team is Boston-bound, punching its ticket to the NCAA Final Four after a heart-stopping 12-11 victory over Duke in Saturday’s quarterfinal matchup. In a game packed with drama, grit, and unrelenting tension, the Gators dug deep when it mattered most, proving their mettle in the face of a determined Blue Devils squad that refused to go quietly.

This marks a historic moment for the Gators, who have been knocking on the door of national prominence for years but now find themselves just two wins away from a national championship. For head coach Amanda O’Leary, it’s a long-awaited breakthrough—one defined by a resilient group of players who have grown through adversity, matured into a cohesive unit, and delivered when the stakes were highest.

From the opening whistle, it was clear that neither team would have an easy path. Duke struck first, capitalizing on a Florida turnover to gain an early edge. But the Gators quickly responded, with sophomore attacker Emma LoPinto slicing through the defense to bury Florida’s first goal of the afternoon. That goal was the spark Florida needed to settle in, but Duke’s quick-strike offense ensured the contest would remain a back-and-forth affair.

The first half featured a dizzying array of momentum swings. Florida surged ahead midway through the period with goals from Danielle Pavinelli and Maggi Hall, only for Duke to counter with three unanswered tallies of their own. The battle in the midfield was fierce, with both teams fighting for every draw control, ground ball, and possession. At halftime, Duke held a narrow 7-6 lead, but the sense was that the game could tilt in either direction.

Coming out of the locker room, Florida turned up the pressure. The defensive unit, anchored by senior Sarah Reznick in goal, clamped down and forced a series of critical turnovers. Reznick, as she’s done all season, came up huge in key moments—none bigger than her point-blank save on a Duke free-position shot with just under 10 minutes to play. That moment shifted the energy and gave Florida a chance to retake control.

On the offensive end, the Gators found their rhythm late in the second half. Hall, who finished with a hat trick, delivered what would become the game-winning goal with 3:14 remaining, weaving through two defenders before firing a high shot past Duke’s goalkeeper. That goal ignited a deafening roar from the Florida bench and signaled the beginning of a tense final stretch.

Duke, to its credit, did not back down. The Blue Devils had several chances to equalize in the final minutes, including a dangerous free-position opportunity with 36 seconds left on the clock. But Reznick again came up with a clutch save, and the Florida defense swarmed to secure the loose ball. With time winding down, the Gators expertly managed the clock, passing around the perimeter and forcing Duke to extend its defense. When the final horn sounded, Florida players flung their sticks skyward and embraced in celebration, having secured their spot in the national semifinals.

The win was a testament not just to talent, but to toughness and togetherness. For Coach O’Leary, it was a defining moment in her tenure.

“This group has worked so hard to get here,” O’Leary said postgame. “From day one, they’ve believed in what we’re building, and today they showed the heart and character that defines Florida lacrosse. Duke is an outstanding team, and we knew it would take everything we had. I’m just incredibly proud of these young women.”

O’Leary praised Reznick’s leadership and composure, calling her “the backbone of our defense,” and highlighted the balanced offensive attack that featured five different goal-scorers.

“This team isn’t about one player—it’s about the whole group,” she added. “We trust each other, and that trust showed in the way we executed when it counted most.”

The Gators’ trip to the Final Four is only the second in program history, with the first coming in 2012. Since then, Florida has been a perennial top-10 team but has struggled to get past the quarterfinal hurdle. This year, something feels different. With a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, the Gators possess both the skill and the swagger to compete with anyone left in the tournament.

Their opponent in Boston will be a familiar one: top-seeded Northwestern, which cruised through its quarterfinal matchup earlier in the day. The Wildcats defeated Florida 15-7 during the regular season, but the Gators are a different team now—battle-tested, confident, and hungry for revenge.

“It’s going to take our best effort,” Hall said. “But we believe. We know how hard we’ve worked to get here, and we’re not satisfied with just making it to Boston. We want more.”

That mindset has become a hallmark of this year’s squad. Whether overcoming injuries, enduring a tough midseason stretch, or fending off top-tier opponents, the Gators have consistently found ways to win. Saturday’s narrow victory over Duke was just the latest example.

LoPinto, who also tallied three assists in addition to her two goals, pointed to the team’s chemistry as a critical factor.

“We’re just really connected,” she said. “We support each other on and off the field, and that shows in how we play. When things get tough, we don’t panic—we rally. That’s the difference this year.”

Florida’s ability to stay composed under pressure has become one of its defining strengths. Against Duke, the Gators committed just nine turnovers compared to 16 by the Blue Devils, a stat that speaks to the poise and discipline instilled by the coaching staff.

“We’ve been preaching composure all season,” said assistant coach Taryn VanThof. “You can’t win games like this unless you’re locked in mentally, especially when the margin is razor thin. Today was about staying true to who we are and trusting the process.”

The Gators will now head to Boston with momentum and belief on their side. Though they’ll be considered underdogs against Northwestern, this team has already proven it can thrive in the role. And in a tournament where anything can happen, belief might be the most powerful weapon of all.

For Florida fans, the journey has been exhilarating. From a dominant run through the AAC to a thrilling NCAA Tournament campaign, the Gators have captured the imagination of their supporters. Now, they’ll get a chance to showcase their talents on the biggest stage in college lacrosse.

The excitement in Gainesville is palpable. Students, alumni, and lacrosse enthusiasts are already making plans to travel north to cheer on their team. For a program that’s been striving for national recognition since its inception in 2010, this feels like a culminating moment—one that validates years of growth, sacrifice, and dedication.

“It’s all coming together,” said Reznick. “We’ve dreamed about this since we first picked up a stick. Now we have the opportunity to play for a national title, and we’re going to give it everything we’ve got.”

As the Gators prepare for the semifinal showdown, they carry with them not just the hopes of their school, but the belief that this is their time. One goal, one possession, one win at a time—that’s been the mantra. And now, with Boston on the horizon, the dream is alive and within reach.

The Florida women’s lacrosse team is no longer chasing history—they’re making it.