via press release – photo via UF web site   GAINESVILLE, Fla. – For the second time 10 games, the University of Florida women’s lacrosse team (8-1, 2-0) will face the nation’s top-ranked team on Wednesday, in a road tilt at No. 1 Maryland (9-0, 1-0). Florida opened the season with a 13-10 loss to preseason No. 1 North Carolina. Since then, the Gators have won eight games in a row, including wins over No. 3 Southern California, No. 5 Syracuse, No. 7 Stony Brook, No. 13 Denver, and No. 16 Towson. The opening draw is set for 2 P.M. from the Maryland Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park, Md. The game will be televised on the BIG TEN Network, with Mark Dixon and Sheehan Stanwick Burch on the call. No. 3 Florida’s offense has been extremely balanced in its first nine games, as five Gators have recorded at least 32 points (Sammi Burgess, Shayna Pirreca, Sydney Pirreca, Lindsey Ronbeck, and Mollie Stevens). The Gator defense boasts 183 combined starts between Taylor Bresnahan, Caroline Fitzgerald, Aniya Flanagan and Cara Trombetta; and has held eight of nine opponents under their season scoring average. Sophomore goalkeeper Haley Hicklen ranks 11th in the NCAA with a .503 save percentage. No. 1 Maryland has beaten four ranked opponents in 2017: No. 1 North Carolina, No. 4 Syracuse, No. 11 Penn, and No. 16 Johns Hopkins. Senior attacker Caroline Wannen (20 goals, 14 assists) and sophomore goalkeeper Megan Taylor (82 saves, .573 save percentage) lead the Terrapins. Examining the Win Streak The Gators have almost doubled their opponents scoring output during their eight-game win streak, with an aggregate score of 140-79.  Florida has not scored less than 13 goals in a game during that span, which equals the most goals Maryland has allowed in a game all season. The Gators are also plus-24 in the draw circle after being outmuscled against North Carolina in their season opener. Head Coach Amanda O’Leary: “Playing in a game like this is why you come to the University of Florida. We’ve had a really tough schedule to start the season, and I am so proud of how we’ve handled it and gotten better with each game. Maryland is a fantastic opponent, and we’re looking forward to a great game.” No. 3 Florida at No. 1 Maryland Broadcast Information Time: 2 P.M. Live Stream: BIG TEN Network Live Stats: UMTerps Pregame Notes Series Information:

• Wednesday’s game will be the third meeting between Florida and Maryland
• Maryland leads: 2-0
• Home: 0-1 | Away: 0-1
• Last Time Out: March 19, 2016 at Florida | L, 4-14

Quick Facts:

• Caroline Fitzgerald needs just nine ground balls to become UF’s all-time ground balls leader
• Sammi Burgess is only 15 points away from becoming the fifth Gator to amass 200 career points
• #PirrecaPower: Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney have accounted for 35% (52/150) of UF’s scoring this season
• Florida has won 11 road games in a row, tied for the longest streak in school history
• The Gators have a 1-3 record playing against teams ranked No. 1 in the IWLCA poll

Fan Information Free parking will be available next to the Lacrosse Complex in lot 11B, beginning at 12 P.M. Up Next The Gators return home to face BIG EAST rival Vanderbilt (5-3, 2-0) on April 1 at 12 P.M.