Special report on the Florida Gators lacrosse team:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 9 Florida lacrosse team (9-2, 6-0 AAC) welcomes the Vanderbilt Commodores (11-2, 6-0 AAC) to town in a battle of the two unbeaten teams in the American Athletic Conference. The series is slated for April 16/18 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
Friday’s opening draw is set for 4 p.m., while Sunday’s game – Senior Day – will begin at 1 p.m. Both games will be streamed on YouTube.
No. 9 Florida vs. Vanderbilt Live Stream – Friday | No. 9 Florida vs. Vanderbilt Radio Stream – Friday
No. 9 Florida vs. Vanderbilt Live Stream – Sunday | No. 9 Florida vs. Vanderbilt Radio Stream – Sunday
Both teams are coming are bye weekends, but the last time Florida took the field, the squad swept the series over ECU, defeating the Pirates 20-9 and 19-7. Vanderbilt won both games in its last series, topping Old Dominion 16-5 and 19-2 in Nashville, Tenn.
The Gators and the Commodores are meeting for the 13th time in program history, with Florida holding the 10-2 series advantage. UF won the last contest between the two teams on May 2, 2019 when they faced off in the AAC Tournament semifinals in Cincinnati, Ohio.
If either team sweeps this weekend’s series, they will clinch at least a share of the American Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship. The Gators hoisted the last regular season trophy in 2019 after going 5-0 in league play.
This matchup will also hold weight on the seeding for the AAC Tournament, which will take place in Gainesville, Fla. from May 6-8. Both squads have already clinched their spots, waiting to be joined by two other league teams.
Scouting the Commodores
- The Vanderbilt Commodores come into the series with an 11-2 record and an unblemished 6-0 record in American Athletic Conference play. While the Commodores are unranked in the IWLCA poll, they come in at No. 20 in the ILWomen Media Poll
- Against ranked opponents, Vanderbilt is 1-2 this season
- The Gators own the 10-2 series advantage over the Commodores, winning the last contest 19-10 on May 2, 2019 in the semifinals of the AAC Tournament
- Through the season thus far, seven Commodores have scored over 20 points: Gabby Fornia (16g, 41a), Maddie Souza (29g, 10a), Elizabeth Scarrone (23g, 5a), Griffin Gearheardt (18g, 9a), Bri Gross (16g, 11a), Cassidy Orban (16g, 6a) and Callie Sundin (21g)
- Gross controls the draw circle for Vanderbilt, having come up with 57 draws this season. Orban has added 39 of her own, while Mikela McCauley has recorded 22 draws this season
- Defensively, the Commodores are averaging 8.00 caused turnovers per game, led by 17 from Melissa Hawkins
- Paige Gunning has seen a majority of minutes in the cage this season for Vanderbilt, recording 124 saves with a .492 save percentage. She has allowed 128 goals in 712:41 and has all 13 decisions for the Commodores
No. 9 Florida vs. Vanderbilt Broadcast Information – April 16
Time & Date: Friday, April 16 | 4 p.m.
Live Stream: YouTube
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Radio: FloridaGators.com/watch
No. 9 Florida vs. Vanderbilt Broadcast Information – April 18
Time & Date: Sunday, April 18 | 1 p.m.
Live Stream: YouTube
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Radio: FloridaGators.com/watch
Series Information – No. 9 Florida vs. Vanderbilt
Commodores | 2021 season: 11-2, 6-0 AAC
- This is the 13th meeting between the Gators and Commodores
- Florida holds the 10-2 series advantage
- Home: 5-1 | Away: 4-0 | Neutral: 1-1
- Last Meeting: May 2, 2019 | Cincinnati, Ohio | W, 19-10
Quick Facts
- When facing teams not ranked in the IWLCA Top-25 poll, the Gators are 113-5 (.958)
- The Gators are 101-19 (.842) om the confines of Donald R. Dizney Stadium
- Amanda O’Leary is the seventh winningest active Division I coach with her .752 winning percentage in 26 seasons (339-112)
- O’Leary has the fourth-most wins of active Division I coaches with 339 and is 177-47 (.790) at Florida
- When scoring at least 14 goals, the Gators are 142-2 (.986) in program history
- Since 2011, Florida has the third-most wins of any Division I women’s lacrosse program with 167
- Shannon Kavanagh is just 17 draw controls away from overtaking first place in the record books (Shannon Gilroy, 303)
- Cara Trombetta is just 17 groundballs away from overtaking first place in the record books (Haley Hicklen, 194)
- Streaking: Shannon Kavanagh’s 38 consecutive games with a goal is the second-longest streak in program history (Record – 40 games, Shayna Pirreca)
- During this series, she is looking to tie the program record of 40 games
- Streaking: Shannon Kavanagh’s 38 consecutive games with a point is the fifth-longest streak in program history
- Streaking: Sarah Reznick has tallied a groundball in 15-straight games, tied for the fourth-longest streak in program history
- Streaking: Brianna Harris has recorded a point in 31-straight games, the seventh-longest streak in program history
Senior Day
- Sunday will serve as Senior Day for Florida’s class of 2021. The Gators will honor eight student athletes: Eddy Shoop, Annie Wright, Kassidy Bresnahan, Grace Haus, Cara Trombetta, Shannon Kavanagh, Brianna Harris and Kaitlyn Dabkowski
- Florida will also honor three of its student managers – Michael Douglas, Spencer Hoagland and Chris Schmitt
Fan Policies at The Diz
- Gators lacrosse looks to maximize fan seating while maintaining social distancing
- Admission at Donald R. Dizney Stadium is free and will be capped at approximately 700 fans
- Blocks of seats at the Diz will be marked and fans attending the games will need to sit in those marked seats to ensure proper physical distancing
- In accordance with UF Health and campus guidelines, face coverings (over the nose and mouth) will be required of all guests throughout the entire game. Failure to comply with this important health guideline could result in loss of attendance privileges
- The Diz will feature new signage to help reinforce safety measures and will also feature an increased number of hand sanitizer stations
- Fans are encouraged to utilize clear bags to reduce touch points for entry gate staff