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UF: Strong Defensive Effort Leads Gators Past Temple

Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in , , , .
  via UF press release – Photo: Madison Ross/UAA Communications   Box Score GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida lacrosse team used an impressive showing on the defensive end of the field to muscle past the Temple Owls on Wednesday afternoon, 15-3. The three goals allowed by Florida were a season-low. Shayna Pirreca scored the game’s first goal less than two minutes into the contest, setting a Florida lacrosse record by scoring a goal in 32 consecutive games dating back to 2016. The Gators would build a 6-0 lead in the first frame before Maddie Gebert’s free position goal put Temple on the board with 14:04 left in the half. Florida responded to Gebert’s goal by reeling off four more scores in succession to take a commanding 10-1 lead barely 20 minutes into the game. The Gators entered halftime with a 10-2 advantage, behind Lindsey Ronbeck‘s first-half hat trick. The Gators forced a running clock with 27:19 left in the second half on a Sydney Pirreca goal, and would hold Temple scoreless over the final 19 minutes of the game to clinch the victory. Florida has now won 26 consecutive games against opponents from the BIG EAST Conference.   Junior Lindsey Ronbeck led Florida’s attack for the second game in a row, tallying five points (4 goals, 1 assist) and three ground balls. Junior midfielder  tied for the team lead with four goals, while  and Grace Hauseach scored a pair for the Gators. Florida was especially dominant in the draw circle, taking a 14-6 advantage with freshman defender Sabrina Cristodero winning a career-high 10 draws. The 10 draw controls won by Cristodero tied for the second most in a single game in program history. The Gator defense allowed Temple to take just 13 shots for the entire game, and held the Owls to a season-low three goals. Senior Aniya Flanagan came away with three caused turnovers to lead UF’s defensive efforts. Temple’s leading scorer, Maddie Gebert, was held to just one goal and one shot attempt by sophomore Cara Trombetta. Florida forced Temple into 23 turnovers overall, marking the fourth game in a row that UF’s defense has caused an opponent to commit at least 19 turnovers. Junior Haley Hicklen earned her 27th career victory in the cage, posting five saves and a .625 save percentage in 55:30 minutes of action. Hicklen has racked up 122 saves through 12 games this season. Senior Olivia Cole logged the game’s final 4:30 minutes, making one save on a shot by Lizzie Frederick. Records:  No. 7 Florida: 9-3 (4-0) Temple: 7-5 (2-2) Notable:
  • The Gators have won 26 consecutive games against BIG EAST opponents dating back to the 2015 season.
  • #PirrecaPower: Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney have combined to score 36% (67/188) of UF’s goals in 2018.
  •  has now scored a goal in 32 consecutive games, setting a new Florida lacrosse record. Pirreca has also tallied a point in 34 straight outings, the fourth best mark in program history.
  • Florida owns an 83-14 (.856) record all-time at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
  • Freshman Eddy Shoop scored her first career goal in the first half against the Owls.
  •  ranks sixth all-time at Florida with 55 caused turnovers in her career.
  O’Leary’s Insight: “This was a hard-earned team effort today. It was important for us to step up in our one-on-one situations and slide on double teams defensively, and I think we executed tremendously. I give a lot credit to Nadine (Hadnagy) for putting in a great game plan against a talented Temple offense. This team has done a much better job coming out ready to play at the opening whistle in the last few games, and we’ll look to keep that momentum going this weekend at Villanova.”     Up Next Florida will travel to Philadelphia on Saturday to challenge the Villanova Wildcats (5-5, 0-3). The opening draw is set for 11 a.m. from Villanova Stadium. Follow the Gators #FLax Twitter Instagram Facebook    
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