via UF press release, by Katie Callahan

Florida-UNC set to face off on Saturday at 12 p.m. on the ACC Network

Game Notes

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The No. 7 Florida lacrosse team hits the road for the first time in the 2023 season, heading to the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday.

Opening draw is slated for 12 p.m. on the ACC Network with Joe Beninati and Rachael DeCecco on the call.

No. 7 Florida at No. 1 North Carolina Live Stream

This is 15th meeting between the Gators and the Tar Heels, with North Carolina leading the series 11-3. All three of Florida’s wins in the series have come in Chapel Hill at Dorrance Field and three of the last four meetings have been decided by four goals or less.

The Gators are coming off a statement Top-20 win in their season opener, defeating the 17th-ranked Michigan Wolverines 17-8 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. In its last contest on Wednesday evening, North Carolina topped Liberty 18-6 in Chapel Hill.

Florida in the AAC

• Through one game in the 2023 season, the Gators are ranked in the Top-3 in the league in seven categories:
  • Goals per game (1st | 17.00)
  • Save percentage (1st | .636)
  • Saves per game (1st | 14.00)
  • Points per game (2nd | 22.00)
  • Assists per game (3rd | 5.00)
  • Draw controls per game (3rd | 15.00)
  • Shot percentage (3rd | .486)
• The following Gators are ranked in the Top-10 in the conference:
  • Emma LoPinto
    • Goals per game: 2nd | 4.00
    • Assists per game: 1st | 3.00
    • Points per game: 1st | 7.00
    • Shots per game: 3rd | 8.00
  • Madison Waters
    • Goals per game: 6th | 3.00
    • Shots per game: 8th | 5.00
  • Maggi Hall
    • Goals per game: 6th | 3.00
  • Danielle Pavinelli
    • Assists per game: 4th | 2.00
    • Points per game: 7th | 4.00
  • Sarah Reznick
    • Groundballs per game: 5th | 4.00
    • Save percentage: 1st | .600
    • Saves per game: 1st | 12.00
    • Goals per game: 3rd | 8.47
  • Emily Diaz
    • Draw controls per game: 7th | 6.00

Scouting the Tar Heels

• North Carolina enters the 2023 season as the reigning national champions, having defeated Boston College 12-11 on Memorial Day Weekend
• The Tar Heels won their first game of the season against No. 12 James Madison 14-9 on Feb. 11 at Dorrance Field and then topped Liberty 18-6 on Wednesday night
• Through two games of the season, Caitlyn Wurzburger (6g, 6a) and Reilly Casey (6g, 5a) have led the offensive front. Marissa White has added six goals of her own, including a five-goal performance against the 12th-ranked Dukes in the first game
• Sophie Student has led the way in the draw circle for the Tar Heels, registering 14 draw wins through two games
• Defensively, Julia Dorsey leads the way with two caused turnovers, while four UNC players have recorded one
• Alecia Nicholas has seen 117:12 minutes in the cage through the first two games, recording a total of 22 saves with a .595 save percentage

Quick Facts

• Gators head coach Amanda O’Leary is the 6th winningest active Division I coach with her .756 winning percentage in 27 seasons (366-118, .756). O’Leary has the 3rd most wins of active Division I coaches with 365 wins. O’Leary is 204-53 (.794) all-time at the University of Florida
• When scoring at least 14 goals, the Gators are 167-2 (.988) in program history

• Streaking: Sarah Reznick has recorded a save in 52-straight games, the second-longest streak in program history. She is just one game away from tying the program record set by Mikey Meagher (53 games, 2010-13)
• Streaking: Danielle Pavinelli has registered a point in 26-straight games and a goal in 24-straight games

• Streaking: Emma LoPinto has tallied a point in 20-straight games
• Streaking: Maggi Hall has registered a point in 16-straight games

• Streaking: Emily Heller had recorded a draw control in 24-straight games, the fourth-longest streak in program history
• Streaking: Liz Harrison has recorded a draw control in 20-straight games

No. 7 Florida at No. 1 North Carolina Broadcast Information
Time & Date: Saturday, Feb. 18 | 12 p.m.   

Live Stream: ACC Network  
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

Series Information
Tar Heels | 2023 season: 2-0, 0-0 ACC

• This is the 15th meeting between the Gators and Tar Heels
• UNC holds the 11-3 series advantage
• Home: 0-4 | Away: 3-7 | Neutral: 0-0
• Last Meeting: Feb. 19, 2022 | Gainesville, Fla. | L, 11-15

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Katie Callahan

Director, Communications (Volleyball, Lacrosse)

University Athletic Association

Cell: 352-672-2918

Office: 352-692-6648 ex. 6170