Special report on the Florida Gators lacrosse team:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida hoisted its fourth consecutive BIG EAST Tournament trophy Saturday after an 18-6 win over Denver Saturday at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
The Gators celebrated its final BIG EAST Tournament title in front of its home crowd. Florida moves to the American Athletic Conference for the 2019 season. Florida finished BIG EAST competition with 33 consecutive league wins, dating back to the 2015 season.
Florida notched the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player in junior Lindsey Ronbeck, along with four other All-Tournament Team spots: Sabrina Cristodero, Shayna Pirreca, Sydney Pirreca and Cara Trombetta.
Once again, Florida had a record day, with two Gators finding their way into the BIG EAST record books. Ronbeck scored seven goals in the game to go along with one assist, bringing her to 16 points over the course of the two games, a new conference tournament record.
Those eight points she scored in Saturday’s game brought her to 200 in her three years as a Gator – she is one of only seven Florida players to reach that mark.
Ronbeck set a new BIG EAST record for the most goals in one tournament (15), one game after breaking the league record for most goals in a single game (8 against Marquette). She also now sits at 31 career points in the BIG EAST Tournament, a new conference record.
Trombetta also found her way into the BIG EAST Tournament record books, recording six caused turnovers against Denver. That mark was the most by any individual in a single tournament game and added with her five caused turnovers from Thursday’s semifinal, puts her at 11 for the 2018 tournament and 16 for her career – both BIG EAST records.
The six CTs were also a program best for Florida, passing her mark of five. Her 67 career caused turnovers put her fourth all-time in Florida’s program history, just three away from tying Shannon Gilroy (70) for third place overall.
As a team, Florida’s defense caused 25 turnovers between the two games, which passes Syracuse’s record of 24 from the 2007 tournament.
Eight Gators scored en route to the 18-6 victory over Denver: Lindsey Ronbeck (7), Sydney Pirreca (3), Shayna Pirreca (2), Grace Haus (2), Caroline Benitez (1), Shannon Kavanagh (1), Allie Pavinelli (1) and Kassidy Bresnahan (1).
Nine UF players recorded assists on the day, led by two from Pavinelli.
Junior Haley Hicklen earned her 34th career victory in the cage, posting nine saves, with a blistering .600 save percentage in 57:30 minutes of action. Hicklen has racked up 155 saves through 19 games this season, which is a Florida program record for most saves in a single season.
Florida caused 16 turnovers in the game, the most by any team in the BIG EAST Tournament. That mark is also tied for third in Florida’s program history. The Gators held Marquette to 6-of-23 shooting and notched nine saves throughout the game.
UF converted on four of its nine free position attempts to earn the decision and earn its fourth straight BIG EAST Tournament Championship.
Next up for the Gators is the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. on ncaa.org.
Florida Results in BIG EAST Tournament Finals
2018
Florida
18
Denver
6
2017
Florida
18
Denver
12
2016
Florida
16
Temple
4
2015
Florida
20
Connecticut
6
BIG EAST All-Tournament Team:
Tournament MVP: Lindsey Ronbeck
All-Tournament Team: Lindsey Ronbeck, Shayna Pirreca, Sydney Pirreca, Cara Trombetta, Sabrina Cristodero
Past Gators on All-Tournament team
2017
2016
Haley Hicklen
Haley Hicklen
Lindsey Ronbeck
Sydney Pirreca
Records:
No. 6 Florida: 16-3 (9-0 BIG EAST)
Denver: 12-6 (6-3 BIG EAST)
Notable:
* The Gators exit the BIG EAST on a 33 consecutive game win streak. The streak began in the 2015 season and is a school record for consecutive league wins.
* In an eight-day span, Florida collected a pair of BIG EAST titles. On April 28, Florida won the BIG EAST regular-season title with a 9-0 record. Today, Florida won its fifth consecutive conference tournament title. Florida has won the last four BIG EAST Tournament titles and claimed the final American Lacrosse Conference crown in 2015.
* Lindsey Ronbeck set a new record for goals in the BIG EAST Tournament (15) and points in a career during the tournament (31)
* Ronbeck also notched eight points in the game, bringing her to 200 in her career as a Gator (7th UF player to do so)
* Trombetta set a new UF program record and BIG EAST Tournament record with six caused turnovers during the game. That brought her to 11 for the weekend and 16 over the course of her career in the tournament, both BIG EAST records
* Florida’s defense notched 25 CTs over the two games, a conference tournament record as well
* #PirrecaPower: Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney have combined to score 33% (106/322) of UF’s goals in 2018.
* Shayna Pirreca has scored a goal in 39 consecutive games, a Florida lacrosse record. Pirreca has also tallied a point in 41 straight outings, the third best mark in program history.
O’Leary’s Insight
On setting the tone:
“The start was huge for us. When we looked at our game the first time out with them, we got out to a really hot start, but Denver came back and evened the score. It was really important for us to maintain that momentum and it was great to see. We didn’t take the foot off the pedal and I’m really proud of them.”
On defense:
“Our defense was just stellar today, I cannot say more. Nadine has done an amazing job with them and they have just gotten better and better each game. You saw it from every single one of them, they all did their jobs today.”
On 33-straight wins in the BIG EAST:
“It is a great accomplish, you have to credit our players both past and present. They work every day for this and I am honored to be able to coach these student-athletes.”
Gators Graduating:
* Three Gators on the team are graduating this weekend
* Shayna Pirreca’s ceremony was Saturday – she earns her bachelor’s degree in history
* Allie Pavinelli and Katharine Hamer will both graduate tomorrow; Pavinelli earns her degree in Health Education and Behavior, while Hamer will earn her degree in Sustainability and the Built Environment
Florida Achieving BIG EAST Tournament Records:
Name
Record
#
Date
Previous/Equaled Record
Name
Lindsey Ronbeck
Goals in a game
8
Semifinal vs Marquette
7
Christina Dove (SU) 2008 Semi
Lindsey Ronbeck
Goals in a half
5 (first)
Semifinal vs Marquette
5 (first)
Coco Stanwick (GU) 2007
Lindsey Ronbeck
Career goals in BE Tournament
19
18
Molly Ford (GU) 2007-10
Cara Trombetta
Caused Turnovers
6
Final vs. Denver
5
Liz Hogan (SU) 2010
Cara Trombetta
Cara Trombetta
Florida
Florida
Caused Turnovers in BE Tournament
Caused Turnovers in BE Tournament Career
Groundballs
Caused Turnovers
11
16
31
25
Final vs. Denver
Final vs. Denver
Semifinal vs Marquette
Final vs. Denver
8
8
25
24
Shannon Burke (ND), 2009
Shannon Burke (ND), 2009
Syracuse 5/4/13
Syracuse 2007