Behind a team-high seven points on five goals and two assists, senior Mollie Stevens led top-seeded and No. 3 Florida to its third straight Big East crown and fifth conference title overall with a 18-12 win over third-seeded and No. 20 Denver.
Stevens added a team-best six draw controls, plus two ground balls and two caused turnovers, to be named the Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
“Today was a battle," said Florida coach Amanda O'Leary. "I couldn’t be more proud of how this team came out from the opening draw and never let up. All the credit to Denver for being prepared and giving us a great game. Now we look forward to NCAA play.”
The Gators scored 39 goals over the span of two tournament games to break their own record from 2015 for most goals scored in a Big East Tournament. Stevens scored 10 goals in the two games to tie the record for most goals scored in a single tournament.
Florida took an early 4-0 lead with Stevens having a hand in three. Denver’s Annie Lyman scored Denver’s first goal at the 20:59 mark, but Sydney Pirrece responded two minutes later.
The Gators finished the final 18:34 of the first half with 6-3 run to lead 11-4 at the break.
The seven-goal lead was enough of a cushion to stay ahead as Denver won the second period 8-7.
Lindsey Ronbeck got on the board first for the Gators, but the Pioneers went on a 5-2 run to come with five.
Florida sealed the deal with a four straight goals, two by the Pirreca sisters, one each by Shayna and Sydney, despite Denver ending the game with three back-to-back goals.
game highlights! Find out how #FLax won its fourth conference tournament in a row! #GoGators
— Gators Lacrosse (@GatorsLAX) May 6, 2017
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Sammi Burgess, Sydney Pirreca and Ronbeck tallied a hat trick for Florida, as well as three, two and one assist, respectively. Defender Cara Trombetta had three caused turnovers.
Denver was led by Julia Feiss and Emily Conway with five and four goals, respectively.
Big East Championship Most Outstanding Player
Mollie Stevens, Florida, A
Big East All-Tournament Team
Haley Hicklen, Florida, GK
Sammi Burgess, Florida, A
Caroline Fitzgerald, Florida, D
Lindsey Ronbeck, Florida, A
Mollie Stevens, Florida, A
Caitlin Derry, Denver, A
Julia Feiss, Denver, A
Emily Conway, Denver, M
Brenda McDermott, Temple A
Morgan Glassford, Temple, M
Taylor Gebhardt, Georgetown, A
Francesca Whitehurst, Georgetown, M