Special report on the Florida Gators lacrosse team:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida women’s lacrosse team (5-1) defeated No. 7 Stony Brook (5-1) soundly on Saturday afternoon, 22-14.
No. 3 Florida used a 9-0 run going into halftime to build a lead of 15-5, which the previously undefeated Seawolves were unable come back from in the second half.
The 22 goals scored by the Gator offense were the most Stony Brook had allowed in a game all season, with the previous high being just 10. Stony Brook entered Saturday ranked third in the NCAA in only allowing 6.4 goals per game.
Senior attacker Mollie Stevens filled the box score with career-high seven goals on eight shot attempts, four ground balls, and 10 draw controls. Stevens’ seven goals tied for the second most in a single game in Florida lacrosse history, and her 10 draw controls also tied for second most in a single-game. Stevens set the Florida single-game draw control record with 11 at Jacksonville on Feb. 27.
Fellow attackers Sammi Burgess and Lindsey Ronbeck also contributed in a big way, with Burgess tallying six points (three goals, three assists) and Ronbeck adding five points (four goals, one assist).
Defensively, the Gators were led by senior Caroline Fitzgerald and junior Aniya Flanagan. Fitzgerald collected three ground balls while Flanagan spent most of the game shadowing Stony Brook’s all-American Kylie Ohlmiller. Sophomore goalkeeper Haley Hicklen added five saves for the Gators.
#PirrecaPower
Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney combined for eight goals, three assists, four draw controls, and one ground ball against Stony Brook. For the season, #PirrecaPower has accounted for 36% (35/96) of Florida’s scoring.
Records:
No. 3 Florida: 5-1
No. 7 Stony Brook: 5-1
Notable:
* With 36 combined goals, Saturday’s game marked the highest-scoring game in UF history.
* After scoring six points against Stony Brook, Sammi Burgess moved into fourth place all-time at Florida with 173 career points. Burgess sits 31 points behind third place.
* Burgess also moved into fourth place all-time with 51 career assists. She needs 11 more to pass Shannon Gilroy (61) for the most in Florida history.
* Sydney Pirreca set a career-high with six points (four goals, two assists).
* Freshman midfielder Brianna Harris chipped in with a career-high five draw controls.
O’Leary’s Insight:
“I really thought we played well offensively and valued our possessions of the ball. We marked up on defense pretty well, but still have plenty of things to improve on before Syracuse comes to town. I am so pleased with how the entire team showed up today. It was a great team victory for the Gators.”
Up Next
The Gators host another marquee matchup at home, as No. 5 Syracuse (7-1) visits ‘The Diz’ on Tuesday, March 14, at 1 P.M.