UF: #3 Gators and Golden Eagles Clash in Milwaukee on Wednesday
Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in Uncategorized.
via press release – photo via UF web site
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Fresh off a 10-point win over Vanderbilt, the University of Florida women’s lacrosse team (9-2, 3-0) will square off with BIG EAST foe Marquette (4-7, 2-1) on Wednesday.
The Gators and Golden Eagles will be meeting for the third time, with Florida holding a 2-0 advantage in the series. Last season, Lindsey Ronbeck‘s seven points led the Gators to a 15-5 victory in Gainesville.
No. 3 Florida has won its first three BIG EAST games by a combined margin of 27 goals. Three Gators have scored at least 45 points this season (Sammi Burgess, Shayna Pirreca, and Mollie Stevens). Florida is the only team in the NCAA to have three players with at least 45 points.
The Gator defense has held nine out of 11 opponents under their season scoring average in 2017. Taylor Bresnahan (15 caused turnovers) and Caroline Fitzgerald (30 ground balls) anchor the Gators’ defensive efforts. Sophomore Haley Hicklen has recorded 98 saves and a .485 save percentage in her first season as a starter.
Marquette has played a quintet of ranked opponents this season: No. 8 Notre Dame, No. 13 Colorado, No. 14 Northwestern, No. 17 Johns Hopkins, and No. 18 Louisville, going 0-5 in those contests. Senior attacker Juliana Shearer (32 goals, two assists) and senior defender Fran Meyer (23 caused turnovers, 24 ground balls) lead the Golden Eagles.
Florida vs. Marquette Statistical Comparison
Head Coach Amanda O’Leary:
“Marquette played a very tough non-conference schedule, and it’s paying off for them in BIG EAST play. They (Marquette) do a terrific job in the draw circle and play especially well at home. We’re looking forward to a really great challenge tomorrow.”
No. 3 Florida at Marquette Broadcast Information
Time: 1 P.M. (ET)
Live Stream: GoMarquette.com
Live Stats: GameTracker
Pregame Notes
Series Information
| Florida | Category | Marquette |
| 174 | Goals | 142 |
| 77 | Assists | 57 |
| 157 | Draw Controls | 161 |
| 254 | Ground Balls | 198 |
| 102 | Caused Turnovers | 117 |
| 389 | Shots | 330 |
| 299 | Shots on Goal | 235 |
| .447 | Shot Percentage | .430 |
| 104 | Saves | 95 |
| .473 | Save Percentage | .386 |
- Wednesday’s game will be the third meeting between Florida and Marquette
- Florida leads: 2-0
- Home: 1-0 | Away: 1-0
- Last Time Out: April 13, 2016 at Florida | W, 15-5
- Caroline Fitzgerald enters Wednesday’s game just six ground balls away from being Florida’s all-time leader (142).
- Sammi Burgess needs 10 more points to become the fifth Gator to amass 200 career points.
- Burgess is also just eight assists away from breaking the UF single-season assist record of 31.
- #PirrecaPower: Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney have combined to score 33% (57/174) of Florida’s goals this season.
- The Gators have won 14 straight BIG EAST games dating back to the 2015 season.
