UF: #6 Gators Hang On Late for 11-10 Road Win Over Vanderbilt
Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in College, Featured Posts, Florida Gators Women, Florida Lacrosse News.
via UF press release
Box Score (PDF)
NASHVILLE – In front of a lively crowd of 461 fans, the University of Florida lacrosse team (6-2, 1-0) picked up an 11-10 road victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores (5-3, 0-1) on Sunday afternoon to open BIG EAST play.
The Gators jumped out to a 5-1 lead barely 10 minutes into the contest, with senior attacker Shayna Pirreca recording a hat trick in just eight minutes and 30 seconds.
Vanderbilt clawed its way back into the game to close the first half, with Florida entering the locker room holding just a 7-6 lead. Junior goalkeeper Haley Hicklenkept the Gators out front, racking up 10 of her 13 saves during the first half.
Florida began the second half on a 4-1 run, and looked poised to put the game out of reach after taking an 11-7 lead with 17:57 minutes remaining in the game. However, the Gators were unable to sustain their momentum and did not score again over the duration of the contest while Vanderbilt put together a 3-0 run to close the second half.
The Commodores found themselves with possession of the ball and a chance to tie the game with under two minutes left in regulation, but junior Caroline Benitezforced VU’s Gabrielle Fornia into a turnover and collected the ensuing ground ball so Florida could run out the clock.
Sophomore defender Cara Trombetta was a force on the defensive end of the field, limiting Vanderbilt’s top scorer, Emily Mathewson, to only one goal on seven shot attempts. Trombetta added two caused turnovers and four ground balls to round out her performance.
The Gators were able to maintain a 13-10 edge in the draw circle, with freshman defender Sabrina Cristodero coming away with a team-high six.
Florida’s offense was led by ‘s five points (four goals, one assist), while freshman Grace Haus added a pair of goals.
Two Gators made their first career starts against the Commodores, with junior defender Caroline May tallying three caused turnovers and three ground balls, while sophomore attacker Madisyn Kittell scored one goal to go along with a caused turnover and ground ball.
was impressive in the cage, turning in a .565 save percentage with 13 saves while facing 36 shots to earn her 24th career victory.
Records:
No. 6 Florida: 6-2 (1-0)
Vanderbilt: 5-3 (0-1)
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 299-99 in 23 seasons as a head coach.
- With Sunday’s win at Vanderbilt, the Gators have now won 23 consecutive games against BIG EAST opponents.
- #PirrecaPower: Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney have combined to score 37% (46/125) of UF’s goals in 2018.
- has scored a goal in 28 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in UF history.
- The Gators have won eight straight games against Vanderbilt.
