via UF press release

Game Notes

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 14 Florida lacrosse team makes its 2020 season debut against No. 18 Colorado on Saturday.

Opening draw is set for 12 p.m. at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

No. 14 Florida vs. No. 18 Colorado Live Stream

This is the fourth meeting between Florida and Colorado, with the Gators holding the 3-0 series advantage. UF won the last meeting, 16-9, on Feb. 9, 2019 in Boulder, Colo.

The 18th-ranked Buffaloes are the first of nine IWLCA Top-25 opponents for the Gators this season. Florida is to host No. 11 Loyola, No. 13 Stony Brook, No. 25 High Point and No. 15 Navy, and will travel to No. 1 Maryland, No. 22 Dartmouth, No. 2 North Carolina and No. 6 Princeton.

Colorado is coming off an 11-8 season in 2019, where the Buffs made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to No. 2 Boston College.

O’Leary’s Insight

On this team…
“We lost nine seniors – eight of which started last year – so we are going to see a lot of new faces coming into this season. That’s really exciting for us, we have had a great preseason. Our seniors and our upperclassman have done a great job taking the underclassmen under their wing and making sure they understand the culture and the work ethic of this team.”

On what she’s looking for out of the gate…
“Your first game is always a big gauge in determining where you are. We had a solid preseason and we’ve been working a lot on offensive movement, defensive zones, that kind of stuff. It will be exciting for us to get out there and execute on the things we’ve been working on day in and day out. For the first game, we are trying to execute the basics. If we can do that, we will be successful.”

Promotions

• Giveaway – 300 Slim Can Florida Lacrosse Koozies
• Gators Students Check-In – Students can check in via the Gators Students Rewards app to earn points toward great prizes
• Lakeside Student Tailgate – Lakeside residents are invited to a student tailgate with games, prizes, and food at the Diz. Students that attend will be given a raffle ticket for a chance to win a free scooter. Must be present to win.
• Kid’s corner – Face painter, coloring, corn hole, jenga, connect 4 & more!
• T-Shirt Toss – After every other Gator Goal, t-shirts will be tossed into the stands
• Domino’s Rowdy Row – At a timeout break each game, fans will be asked to get on their feet and the loudest row will win free Domino’s
• Junior Announcer – Every game, one lucky fan 12 or under will get to announce opening draw for the second half
• Hammock Seating – First come, first serve seating in the trees by the front gate
• Hand Fans – Florida Lacrosse collapsible travel fans available at all home games throughout the season

Scouting the Buffs

Colorado enters the 2020 season ranked 18th in the IWLCA Preseason Poll. The Buffaloes lost their leading scorers Miranda Stinson (64 goals, 16 assists) and Samantha Nemirov (51 goals, 15 assists), but return junior Sadie Grozier (36 goals, 10 assists) and sophomore Charlie Rudy (26 goals, two assists).

Senior goalkeeper Julia Lisella returns in the cage for her final season after having recorded 163 saves and a .470 save percentage in 2019

No. 14 Florida vs. No. 18 Colorado Broadcast Information

Time & Date: Saturday, Feb. 8 | 12 p.m.
Live Stream: YouTube
Live Stats: Sidearm

Series Information – No. 14 Florida vs. No. 18 Colorado

Buffaloes | 2019 season synopsis: 11-8 overall, 8-2 Pac-12

• This is the fourth meeting between the Gators and the Buffaloes
• Florida leads: 3-0
• Home: 2-0 | Away: 1-0 | Neutral: 0-0
• Last time out: Feb. 9, 2019 | Boulder, Colo. | W, 16-9

Quick Facts

• In last season’s matchup, Shannon Kavanagh notched seven points on five goals and two assists
• Florida won three of the four major Preseason American Athletic Conference Awards: Grace Haus was named Attacker of the Year, Shannon Kavanagh was named Midfielder of the Year and Cara Trombetta was named Defensive Player of the Year
• Five Gators were named Preseason All-AAC selections: Kaitlyn Dabkowski, Brianna Harris, Grace Haus, Shannon Kavanagh and Cara Trombetta
• One Gator is on a quest to hit the 200-point mark this season, with Shannon Kavanagh sitting at 159 points
• Amanda O’Leary is the sixth winningest active Division I coach with her .750 winning percentage in 24 seasons (324-108)
• O’Leary has the fourth most wins of active Division I coaches with 324 and is 162-43 (.790) at Florida
• Florida owns an impressive 92-18 (.836) record in the confines of Donald R. Dizney Stadium

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