via UF press release   Box Score Box Score (PDF) GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida lacrosse team (1-1) dropped a tightly contested game against the top-ranked Maryland Terrapins (2-0) on Saturday afternoon, by a score of 16-14. No. 5/3 Florida took a 2-0 lead less than 90 seconds into the game, marking the first time UF has ever held a lead against Maryland in the four-game series between the teams. The Gators and Terps traded goals back and forth for a majority of the first half, with Maryland entering halftime up 10-8. An illegal stick violation negated a Shayna Pirreca goal early in the second half, which would have brought the Gators to within one goal of the lead. Maryland then capitalized on the change in momentum and went on a 5-0 run midway through the second half to open a 16-9 lead with 16:37 remaining in the game. A Sydney Pirreca goal with 11:28 left in the second half sparked an intense comeback effort for Florida, with the 5-0 UF run running out of time before the final horn. Florida was able to outduel Maryland in the draw circle, 19-14, with Sydney Pirreca(seven) and Sabrina Cristodero (six) leading the way. The Gator attack was led by six goals from junior midfielder Sydney Pirreca, and a pair of hat tricks from Shayna Pirreca and Lindsey Ronbeck. Sydney Pirreca‘s eight points were the most in a game by a Gator since Shannon Gilroy did so twice in 2015. Florida’s defense caused 10 of Maryland’s 16 turnovers, with Caroline Benitez, Sabrina Cristodero, and Madi Hall each chipping in two for the Gators. Sophomore Cara Trombetta limited Maryland’s Caroline Steele to just two goals on seven shot attempts. Junior goalkeeper Haley Hicklen went the distance in the cage, tying her career-high of 14 saves and posting a .467 save percentage. Hicklen’s 232 career saves move her into third place all-time at Florida. A Broken Streak Prior to Saturday’s game, Florida was a perfect 102-0 in the nine-year history of the program when scoring at least 14 goals. Records:  No. 5/3 Florida: 1-1 (0-0) No. 1/1 Maryland: 2-0 (0-0) Notable:

• Head Coach Amanda O’Leary is looking to become just the fifth coach in the history of Division I women’s lacrosse to win 300 games in her career. O’Leary is currently 294-98 in 23 seasons as a head coach.
• With three goals on Saturday, Shayna Pirreca became the ninth Gator to score 100 goals in a career.
• #PirrecaPower: Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney have combined to score 38% (12/32) of UF’s goals in 2018.
• UF was charged with seven yellow cards and two green cards on Saturday, while Maryland committed just two yellow cards.

  O’Leary’s Insight: “To be within two goals of this team (Maryland) is fantastic. Maryland is the number one team in the country, and I am so proud of our resolve in the way that we fought back at the end. We need to get better at executing the little things moving forward – All those little things will turn into one great thing if we do. The defense played really well today. They did not give up, even when we were man-down for a majority of the second half.” Up Next The Gators will host their third consecutive ranked opponent, No. 25 Loyola, on Sunday, Feb. 25 at noon. Follow the Gators #FLax Twitter Instagram Facebook