Gators Overcome Eight-Goal Deficit, Defeat No. 10 Navy

Tuesday, March 13

Gainesville, FL

1 PM

Florida Gators

5-2

Navy

5-2

Navy

Florida

Cara Trombetter (#16) caused a career-high five turnovers against Navy

Gators Overcome Eight-Goal Deficit, Defeat No. 10 Navy

Tuesday, March 13, 2018 | Lacrosse

Box Score

The eight-goal margin overcome by UF was the largest in program history.

By: Dustin Ciraco

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Facing a 10-2 deficit just 19 minutes into Tuesday's game against No. 10 Navy, the University of Florida lacrosse team mounted a furious comeback against the Midshipmen, claiming a 19-16 victory at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

The Gators outscored Navy 17-6 over the final 37 minutes of the game, including a 4-0 run by Shannon Kavanagh alone over the contest's final 11 minutes. Kavanagh's run tied the game with 10:56 remaining, gave UF (5-2) its first lead at 6:05, and ultimately built a three-goal cushion to ice victory.

Florida either trailed or faced a tied score for the first 53:56 minutes of Tuesday's tilt. The eight-goal margin overcome by the Gators was the largest in program history.

Sophomore defender Cara Trombetta made her presence felt by causing a career-high five turnovers, and limiting Navy's Kelly Larkin to just one goal on four shots. The Gator defense only allowed the Midshipmen (5-2) to score five goals in the second half.

In addition to Kavanagh's four goals, junior Sydney Pirreca also added four goals and an assist to tie for the team lead with five points. A pair of hat tricks by Shayna Pirreca (three goals, two assists) and Allie Pavinelli rounded out the bulk of UF's scoring.

Navy took a 26-11 edge in the draw circle against Florida, but key draws from Kaitlyn Dabkowski (2), Sydney Pirreca (2), and Shannon Kavanagh (5) helped the Gators earn crucial possessions in the game's final moments.

Freshman Sabrina Cristodero continued the impressive start to her career, limiting Navy's leading scorer Jenna Collins to three goals on eight shot attempts, while forcing Collins into two turnovers.

Junior goalkeeper Haley Hicklen went the distance in the cage for Florida, saving nine goals while facing 33 shots to earn her 23rd career victory. Hicklen has racked up 81 saves through UF's first seven games.

Next Woman Up
The Gators found themselves shorthanded against the Midshipmen, with defensive stalwart Aniya Flanagan sidelined due to injury, and Tewaaraton Watch List honoree Lindsey Ronbeck leaving the game early with an injury. Major contributions from Morgan Bracken (first career start), Alix Lopez (1 assist, 3 ground balls), Caroline May (2 caused turnovers, 4 ground balls), and Allie Pavinelli (3 goals) helped UF fill that void and earn their fifth victory of the season.

Records:
No. 6 Florida: 5-2 (0-0)
No. 10 Navy: 5-2 (0-0)

Notable:

Head Coach Amanda O'Leary is looking to become just the fifth coach in the history of Division I women's lacrosse to win 300 games in her career. O'Leary is currently 298-99 in 23 seasons as a head coach.
With nine saves against Navy, Haley Hicklen (285) moved into second place all-time at Florida. The junior will now look to overcome Mikey Meagher's 407 career saves.
#PirrecaPower: Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney have combined to score 36% (41/114) of UF's goals in 2018.
Shayna Pirreca has scored a goal in 27 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in UF history.
The Gators are 18-18 all-time against Top-10 opponents

O'Leary's Insight:
"This team could have quit or put their head down, but they gutted it out. I am so proud of them for that. I give a lot of credit to Navy – They came in here with a great game plan, and outworked us in the first half. We need to continue to get better at coming out of the locker room ready to play games. I'm pleased with the way we changed our mentality in the second half and put it all together, offensively and defensively, to close the game."

Up Next
Florida will open BIG EAST Conference Play at Vanderbilt (5-2) on Sunday, March 18. The opening draw is set for 2 p.m. ET.

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