UF Women: Gators Welcome Midshipmen to Gainesville For Midweek Tilt
Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in College, Featured Posts, Florida Gators Women, Florida Lacrosse News.
via UF press release – photo by Jim Burgess
Florida and Navy will be meeting for the first time.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Playing at home for the first time in nearly two weeks, the No. 6 University of Florida lacrosse team (4-2) is set to host the No. 10 Navy Midshipmen (5-1) on Tuesday afternoon. This contest will mark UF’s sixth outing against a ranked opponent out of seven games thus far in 2018.
The opening draw is set for 1 p.m. from Donald R. Dizney Stadium. A live stream of the game will be available via YouTube, with Ryan Urquhart and former Gator lacrosse alumnus Annabeth Collins on the call.
No. 6 Florida vs. No. 10 Navy Live Stream
Tuesday’s clash will be the first meeting between the Gators and Midshipmen. Last season, Navy turned in an 18-5 record and upset North Carolina en route to an NCAA Final Four berth.
The No. 10 Midshipmen are the sixth of nine IWLCA top-25 opponents for the Gators this season. UF has already challenged No. 17 Colorado, No. 1 Maryland, No. 23 Loyola, No. 3 North Carolina, and No. 8 Syracuse; with No. 10 Navy, No. 14 Towson, No. 25 Georgetown, and No. 22 Denver still left on the schedule. The Gators are 3-2 against ranked opponents in 2018.
Navy claimed a 16-11 decision over Saint Joseph’s in its last contest.
Head Coach Amanda O’Leary:
“It is an honor for us to host one of our service academies. Navy is a very experienced and talented team that knows what it takes to win. We’re really looking forward to the challenge of them (Navy) coming in here tomorrow and giving us a great game in front of our fans. We’ve had some productive practices over the last couple of days and I think the team is eager to get back out on the field.”
Exclusive Company
Since 2011, Florida and Navy are among the nation’s best in terms of total wins and win percentage.
Institution W-L Win Percentage
Maryland 156-11 .934
FLORIDA 125-26 .828
North Carolina 122-30 .803
Syracuse 122-42 .744
Navy 117-31 .791
Coaching Duel
Tuesday’s game will feature two of the top coaches in Division I women’s lacrosse. Navy’s Cindy Timchal is the NCAA’s all-time wins leader with 496 victories in her 36-year career, while has turned in 297 wins in 23 seasons as a head coach. O’Leary served as an assistant coach under Timchal at Maryland from 1992-93.
Scouting the Midshipmen
Navy has been dominant in the draw circle so far in 2018, tying for the national lead with 18.0 draws won per game. The Midshipmen score at a clip of 15.5 goals per contest, the 11th-best clip in the country. Jenna Collins (24 goals) and Kelly Larkin (32 points) lead the Navy attack.
No. 6 Florida vs. No. 10 Navy Broadcast Information
Time: 1 p.m.
Live Stream:
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats
Pregame Notes (PDF)
Series Information
- Tuesday’s meeting will be the first between Florida and Navy
- The Gators have a 9-1 record all-time against opponents from the Patriot League
- Head Coach 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 297-99 in 23 seasons as a head coach.
- Haley Hicklen needs just three more 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.
- Shayna Pirreca 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
- Navy’s Kayla Harris is the twin sister of UF midfielder Brianna Harris
