via UF press release, by Katie Callahan

Wednesday’s game time has moved from 1 p.m. to 12 p.m. on ESPN+. 

Game Notes

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The ninth-ranked Florida lacrosse team (9-3, 2-1 AAC) hits the road for a nonconference battle with the Liberty Flames on Wednesday.

Opening draw was moved up one hour and will now be at 12 p.m. Fans not in attendance can watch the game on ESPN+.

No. 9 Florida at Liberty Live Stream

This is the third meeting between the Gators and the Flames, with Florida leading the series 2-0, including a 1-0 record in Lynchburg, Va.

Florida has held Liberty to an average of four goals per game, including a two-goal outing on April 28, 2021 in Gainesville. Meanwhile, the Gators are averaging 15.5 goals per game in the two contests, with the series-high 17 goals coming against the Flames in the 2021 matchup.

The Gators are coming off a 17-13 conference victory over Temple on April 8, while Liberty won its last contest against Queens 14-5 last Saturday.

Florida in the AAC

• Through 12 games in the 2023 season, the Gators are ranked in the Top-5 in the league in eight categories:
  • Points per game (1st | 22.25)
  • Goals per game (1st | 15.17)
  • Assists per game (1st | 7.08)
  • Saves per game (1st | 10.42)
  • Draw controls per game (1st | 15.58)
  • Save percentage (2nd | .506)
  • Shot percentage (2nd | .500)
  • Caused turnovers per game (3rd | 8.83)
• The following Gators are ranked in the Top-15 in the conference:
  • Emma LoPinto
    • Goals per game:3rd | 2.92
    • Points per game: 3rd | 4.33
    • Assists per game: 4th | 1.42
    • Shots per game: 6th | 5.53
  • Maggi Hall
    • Goals per game: 8th | 2.25
    • Points per game: 8th | 3.17
    • Assists per game: 15th | 0.92
    • Shots per game: 14th | 3.67
  • Ashley Gonzalez
    • Assists per game: 3rd | 1.58
  • Danielle Pavinelli
    • Goals per game: 9th | 2.08
    • Points per game: 9th | 2.83
    • Shots per game: 10th | 4.67
  • Emily Heller
    • Goals per game: 11th | 2.00
    • Shots per game: 14th | 3.67
    • Groundballs per game: 6th | 2.33
    • Caused turnovers per game: 9th | 1.17
    • Draw controls per game: 12th | 2.92
  • Liz Harrison
    • Draw controls per game: 4th | 4.83
  • Emily Diaz
    • Draw controls per game: 8th | 3.25
  • Sarah Reznick
    • Save percentage: 2nd | .500
    • Saves per game: 1st | 9.25
    • Goals against average: 4th | 10.76
    • Groundballs per game: 11th | 1.92

100-Club

• The Gators have two athletes on the cusp of entering the 100-point club this season after three players have already hit the mark in the 2023 campaign
• Paisley Eagan is at 91 career points, with 90 of them coming while she has donned the Orange & Blue (one point at Boston College prior to transferring)
• Emily Heller is currently at 87 career points to round out the Gators on a quest to hit the milestone

Goal Tracker

• Emma LoPinto is sitting at 98 career goals through 34 games in her first two seasons
• She would be Florida’s 16th 100-goal scorer in program history
• If she hits it this season, she would be just the fourth Gator to achieve the milestone in their sophomore season: Kitty Cullen (35 games), Shannon Kavanagh (41 games), Danielle Pavinelli (42 games)

Scouting the Flames

• Liberty comes into Wednesday’s game with a 7-5 record overall and a 3-0 record in ASUN play
• Mackenzie Lehman leads the way offensively with 37 points (27g, 10a), followed closely behind by Cami Merkel’s 31 points (23g, 8a) and Jordan Sheive’s 28 points (19g, 9a). Kelly Scott (15g, 8a), Lizzy Ferguson (18g, 1a), Olivia Glaze (9g, 5a) and Tori Banks (11g, 1a) have each recorded over 10 points throughout the season thus far
• Lizzy Ferguson is well in control of the draw circle for the Flames, coming up with 115 draw controls in 12 games. Mackenzie Lehman has the next closest at 19
• Defensively, Liberty has totaled 137 caused turnovers, led by 16 from Grace Loughery. Mackenzie Lehman, Lizzy Ferguson and Hannah Davis have each registered 14 caused turnovers this season, while Mikayla Coghill has added 11
• 10 Liberty players have tallied at least 10 groundballs this season: Grace Loughery (31), Mackenzie Lehman (17), Lizzy Ferguson (17), Hannah Davis (17), Mikayla Coghill (16), Taylor Gallarello (15), Tori Banks (13), Madeleine Klunder (13), Cami Merkel (12), Olivia Glaze (11)
• In the cage, Mara Tellers (367:52) and Taylor Gallarello (352:08) have split time almost down the middle. Gallarello has registered 42 saves with a .412 save percentage, while Tellers has a .309 save percentage with 34 saves

Florida vs. Liberty Statistical Comparison

Quick Facts

• Gators head coach Amanda O’Leary is the 6th winningest active Division I coach with her .756 winning percentage in 28 seasons (374-121, .756). O’Leary has the 3rd most wins of active Division I coaches with 374 wins. O’Leary is 212-56 (.791) all-time at the University of Florida
• When scoring at least 14 goals, the Gators are 175-2 (.989) in program history
• Streaking: Sarah Reznick has recorded a save in 63-straight games, a new program record
• Streaking: Danielle Pavinelli has registered a point in 37-straight games and a goal in 35-straight games (third-longest streak)
• Streaking: Emily Heller had recorded a draw control in 35-straight games, the second-longest streak in program history   

No. 9 Florida at Liberty Broadcast Information
Time & Date: Wednesday, April 12 | 12 p.m.   
Live Stream: ESPN+ ($)
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

Series Information – No. 9 Florida at Liberty
Flames | 2023 season: 7-5, 3-0 ASUN  

• This is the third meeting between the Gators and the Flames
• Florida leads series 2-0
• Home: 1-0 | Away: 1-0 | Neutral: 0-0
• Last Meeting: March 9, 2022 | Lynchburg, Va. | W, 14-6 

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