UF: Kittell & Pirreca Power #4 Gators to OT Win Against #23 Loyola
Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in College, Featured Posts, Florida Gators Women, Florida Lacrosse News.
via UF press release
Box Score
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida lacrosse team (2-1) earned a thrilling 17-16 victory over No. 23 Loyola (0-2) in overtime on Sunday afternoon at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
Florida overcame a four-goal deficit (7-11) with 26 minutes left in the second half, and ultimately closed the game on a 3-0 run after trailing 14-16 with just 2:27 left in regulation.
In a game that featured eight ties and three lead changes, the Gators either trailed or faced a tied score for the first 47:51 minutes of game action, before a Grace Hausgoal gave UF a 13-12 advantage.
Sophomore Madisyn Kittell sent the game into overtime by causing two turnovers in the last 90 seconds of the second half, the second of which she converted into the game-tying goal. Kittell checked the stick of Loyola’s goalkeeper, Kady Glynn, and raced around the crease to score her second goal of the contest.
Kittell Scoop and Score
Once in overtime, freshman Sabrina Cristodero came away with the opening draw control and Florida called timeout with 2:25 remaining in the first period. Senior Shayna Pirreca came out of the timeout in an isolation drive against Loyola’s Lindsey Ehrhardt and buried the game-winning goal less than 60 seconds into overtime.
Shayna Pirreca Game-Winning Goal
Freshman Shannon Kavanagh turned in the best performance of her young career thus far, tying for the team lead with four goals, and adding three ground balls, two draw controls, and three caused turnovers.
The Gator attack was led by four goals from junior Lindsey Ronbeck, while Caroline Benitez, , , and Sydney Pirreca each tacked on two goals.
Florida’s defense caused 15 of Loyola’s 23 turnovers, with and leading the way with three apiece. Sophomore Cara Trombettalimited Loyola’s Hannah Powers to just one goal on four shot attempts, while also forcing the Preseason All-American into four turnovers.
made her presence felt in the draw circle for the second game in a row, tying a UF freshman record with eight draw controls. Through three games in 2018, Cristodero leads the Gators with 15 draw controls.
Junior goalkeeper Haley Hicklen went the distance in the cage, saving 10 goals to anchor Florida’s defensive efforts. Hicklen has posted at least 10 saves in all three games this season.
: Spark Plug
entered Sunday’s game midway through the second half, with Florida in the midst of a 4-0 run. The sophomore attacker made an immediate impact, scoring two goals on two shots, causing three turnovers, and collecting a ground ball. Kittell ultimately sent the game into overtime by scoring the tying goal at 16-16 with 1:12 left in regulation.
Records:
No. 3 Florida: 2-1 (0-0)
No. 23 Loyola: 0-2 (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 295-98 in 23 seasons as a head coach.
- (99) is on the verge of becoming the 10th Gator to score at least 100 career goals.
- needs 37 saves to move into second place all-time at Florida.
- Florida owns a 79-13 (.859) record all-time at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
- #PirrecaPower: Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney have combined to score 34% (16/47) of UF’s goals in 2018.
