Special report on the Florida Gators lacrosse team:
BOULDER, Colo. – The No. 6 Florida lacrosse team makes its 2019 season debut at No. 17 Colorado on Saturday.
Opening draw is set for 2 p.m. ET/12 p.m. MT. The Pac-12 Network will be streaming the game from Kittredge Field.
No. 6 Florida vs. No. 17 Colorado Live Stream<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__pac-2D12.com_live_cubuffs&d=DwIFAg&c=pZJPUDQ3SB9JplYbifm4nt2lEVG5pWx2KikqINpWlZM&r=6MG06PG_fwpe7ULfewi6NrFR2j_4ngNZtgGHhDCeRY0&m=usnr7QP51LtYAgztqNFVlgWrp7jbBGSMWXO2-KtctF8&s=Mi7MUBosZ8U2SBli6fIvwUnm2KXtBRzhVU8ZVOjgoV4&e=>
This is the third meeting between Florida and Colorado, with the Gators holding the 2-0 series advantage. Both wins came last season, with UF winning the season opener, 16-9, then topping the Buffs, 13-9, in the NCAA Tournament.
The 17th-ranked Buffs are the first of eight IWLCA Top-25 opponents for the Gators this season. Florida is set to host No. 2 Maryland, No. 15 Syracuse, No. 2 North Carolina, and No. 8 Princeton; and will travel to No. 9 Loyola, No. 13 Navy and No. 5 Stony Brook.
Colorado is coming off a 14-6 season in 2018, where the Buffs made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, before falling to the Gators in Gainesville, Fla.
Head Coach Amanda O’Leary
On this season’s team:
“The exciting thing is our freshmen. They came in here as a highly touted group and they have lived up to those expectations. We are going to see a lot of those freshmen getting quality minutes. We are also strong in our senior leadership. That entire class – from top to bottom – has provided us with tremendous leadership, on and off the field. That’s what you want from your seniors.”
On the matchup with Colorado:
“Going up against a ranked Colorado team, we just have to control the controllables. We’re going to have to get out of the gates early and control the draw. We’re really focused on making sure our communication on all aspects of the field is top-notch. They’ve got an All-American goalie and two great attackers, so it’ll be a good test for us to open up the season.”
Dominant Defense
Anchored by junior Cara Trombetta, UF is one of just three schools to finish in the top-13 nationally in scoring defense over the past four seasons. The Gators have not allowed more than 10.0 goals per game since their inaugural 2010 season.
All-American Aplenty
Eight ILWomen Preseason All-Americans will take the field in Boulder, Colo. on Saturday. The Gators boast six of the eight players: Cara Trombetta, Sydney Pirreca, Haley Hicklen, Lindsey Ronbeck, Sabrina Cristodero and Shannon Kavanagh. Julia Lisella and Miranda Stinson will represent Colorado.
No. 6 Florida at No. 17 Colorado Broadcast Information
Time & Date: Sat., Feb. 9 | 12 p.m. MT / 2 p.m. ET
Live Stream: Pac-12 Live<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__pac-2D12.com_live_cubuffs&d=DwIFAg&c=pZJPUDQ3SB9JplYbifm4nt2lEVG5pWx2KikqINpWlZM&r=6MG06PG_fwpe7ULfewi6NrFR2j_4ngNZtgGHhDCeRY0&m=usnr7QP51LtYAgztqNFVlgWrp7jbBGSMWXO2-KtctF8&s=Mi7MUBosZ8U2SBli6fIvwUnm2KXtBRzhVU8ZVOjgoV4&e=>
Live Stats: Sidearm<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__cubuffs.com_sidearmstats_wlax_summary&d=DwIFAg&c=pZJPUDQ3SB9JplYbifm4nt2lEVG5pWx2KikqINpWlZM&r=6MG06PG_fwpe7ULfewi6NrFR2j_4ngNZtgGHhDCeRY0&m=usnr7QP51LtYAgztqNFVlgWrp7jbBGSMWXO2-KtctF8&s=i_iBezyFDtSD27SFhPehbbaTyrlzyqK5ktrhGEZHTcw&e=>
Series Information – No. 6 Florida at No. 17 Colorado
Buffaloes | 2018 season synopsis: 14-6 overall, 9-1 Pac-12
* This is the third meeting between the Gators and the Buffaloes
* Florida leads: 2-0
* Home: 2-1 | Away: 0-0 | Neutral: 0-0
* Last time out: May 13, 2018 | Gainesville, Fla. | W, 13-9 | NCAA Second Round
Quick Facts
* The Gators return 10 starters from last season’s squad, only having graduated two seniors (Shayna Pirreca and Anaya Flanagan)
* UF returns 77.5% of its point production from last season (365/471) and 77% of its goal production (264/343)
* Lindsey Ronbeck currently sits at 154 goals, in range to become just the third Gator to score over 200 goals during a career
* Sydney Pirreca is on the cusp of 200 points, sitting at 149 in her career
* Haley Hicklen sits at 382 saves, just 25 saves away from tying Mikey Meagher for the most all-time in UF program history
* Florida swept the American Athletic Conference preseason awards: Lindsey Ronbeck (Attacker of the Year), Sydney Pirreca (Midfielder of the Year), Cara Trombetta (Defender of the Year), Haley Hicklen (Goalkeeper of the Year)
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