UF: Late Push Not Enough for #3 Gators to Defeat #8 Orange
Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in College, Featured Posts, Florida Gators Women, Florida Lacrosse News.
via UF press release
Box Score
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The No. 3 University of Florida lacrosse team (4-2) was unable to overcome a strong showing from No. 8 Syracuse (4-1, 0-1) on Wednesday afternoon, dropping a 17-15 decision in the Carrier Dome.
After a back-and-forth first half that featured four lead changes, the Gators entered halftime trailing 9-8, with Shayna Pirreca picking up five first half points.
A Caroline Benitez goal with 12:11 remaining in the first half gave the Gators an 8-7 lead, but Florida was only able to score one goal over the next 29 minutes of game time.
Syracuse capitalized on the Florida drought and went on a 9-1 run during that stretch, building a 16-9 lead with 13:07 left in regulation.
Senior midfielder Allie Pavinelli sparked UF’s furious 5-0 run to close the game by finding Benitez in front of the cage for a quick-stick goal. Pavinelli would go on to score Florida’s next two goals, along with Lindsey Ronbeck and to narrow the final margin to two.
Florida was dominant in the draw circle, outdueling the Orange, 23-11. Defender Sabrina Cristodero set a Florida freshman record by winning nine draws, while Shannon Kavanagh and Sydney Pirreca each came away with five.
The Gator offense was led by Shayna Pirreca‘s career-high seven points (four goals, three assists), and a trio of hat tricks from (three goals), (three assists), and (three goals, one assist).
Defensively, Cara Trombetta came away with two caused turnovers, while Haley Hicklen saved seven goals in 56:32 of action. The Gator defense only allowed Syracuse’s starting offensive attack to score eight goals.
Records:
No. 3 Florida: 4-2 (0-0)
No. 8 Syracuse: 4-1 (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 297-98 in 23 seasons as a head coach.
- needs just three saves to move into second place all-time at Florida.
- #PirrecaPower: Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney have combined to score 36% (34/95) of UF’s goals in 2018.
- has scored a goal in 26 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in UF history.
- The Gators are 17-18 all-time against Top-10 opponents
