via press release – photo via UF web site   Box Score PHILADELPHIA – The University of Florida women’s lacrosse team (14-2, 8-0) defeated the Temple Owls (13-3, 6-2) on Saturday, 15-5. The loss was Temple’s first home loss of the season. With the win over the Owls, Florida has won at least a share of the BIG EAST regular season title for the third year in a row. The Gators will face Georgetown on April 29 for the outright conference championship, as well as the No. 1 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament. The Gators suffocated Temple on the defensive end of the field, limiting the Owls to just 12 shot attempts while forcing 21 turnovers. Florida also held a 19-3 edge in the draw circle, led by seven from senior attacker Mollie Stevens. Defenders Taylor Bresnahan and Aniya Flanagan each forced two turnovers, with Flanagan also recording a ground ball and a draw control. Senior defender Caroline Fitzgerald scooped up three ground balls, passing Nora Barry (141) for the most all-time at Florida. A trio of hat tricks from Sammi Burgess (four goals), Madi Hall, and Mollie Stevenspaced the Gator offense. Hall’s three goals were a career-high. Junior attacker Shayna Pirreca added two goals and two assists to round out Florida’s attack. All three Gator goalkeepers: Haley Hicklen, Olivia Cole, and Kenzii Kittell saw time in the cage, with Hicklen earning her 14th victory of the season. 30-30 Club After scoring four goals against Temple on Saturday, senior attacker Sammi Burgessjoined Ashley Bruns (2010) as just the second Gator to record at least 30 points and 30 assists in a single season. Her 67 points through 16 games are already the 10th-most in a single-season in Florida history. Records: No. 2 Florida: 14-2 (8-0) Temple: 13-3 (6-2) Notable:

• The Gators have won 19 consecutive BIG EAST games dating back to the 2015 season
• #PirrecaPower: Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney have combined to score 26% (69/270) of Florida’s goals this season
• Eight conference wins by the Gators in 2017 are the most in a single-season in UF history
• Florida has won its first eight BIG EAST games by a combined 98 goals

O’Leary’s Insight: “This was a crucial game for us. To be able to come on the road late in the season and pick up a conference win like we did today is huge moving forward. I’m really proud of how aggressive we were on both sides of the field, and we’ll look to carry that into a big home game vs. Georgetown.” Up Next Florida will wrap up the regular season at home against the Georgetown Hoyas (9-7, 7-1) for Senior Day on April 29 at 1 p.m. Follow the Gators #FLax Twitter Instagram Facebook