Opening Day for Lacrosse Features Top-20 Matchup
Sunday, February 20, 2011 | Lacrosse
The No. 17 Florida lacrosse team, looking to capitalize on their 18-9 mid-week victory over Jacksonville, takes on No. 20 (Inside Lacrosse/deBeer Media Poll) Denver on Sunday for Opening Day. Opening draw is set for 12:00 p.m.
Sophomore Kitty Cullen (Rockville, Md.) looks to continue her hot streak, having scored eight goals so far this season for a .615 shooting percentage. Junior Caroline Cochran (Annapolis, Md.) and sophomore Brittany Dashiell (Bel Air, Md.) each have seven points so far this season, with four goals and three assists apiece. Dashiell had a career game against Jacksonville, tying her career high in assists (two) and points (four).
On the defensive end, the Gators have dominated, thanks to sophomores Sam Farrell (Millersville, Md.), Jamie Reeg (Atlantis, Fla.), Emily Dohony (Parkton, Md.), Kayla Stolins (Glen Arm, Md.) and Haydon Judge (Chestertown, Md.). These five have started ten consecutive games and have held opponents to just 25 ground balls, while the Gators have 36 so far on the season. Ferrell also had a career-high six ground balls for Florida on Wednesday night.
Florida also has two solid options for goalkeeper. Mikey Meagher (Liverpool, N.Y.) earned her second-straight start on Wednesday night, holding Jacksonville to three goals in the first half. Cara Canington (Bel Air, Md.) kept the Dolphins' offense guessing in the second half, coming up with a .400 save percentage.
The Gators are undefeated on Opening Day, as their matchup against Jacksonville last spring opened their inaugural season. In front of a record crowd of 2,114 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium on February 20, 2010, the Gators took the field against the Dolphins and came away with a 16-6 victory in the program's inaugural game.
The No. 20 Pioneers opened up their season on Friday afternoon against Jacksonville, falling 10-7. Kara Secora, the Pioneers' leading scorer in 2010, picked up where she left off by scoring two goals against the Dolphins. All-MPSF goalkeeper Ashley Harman made seven saves.
Denver was undefeated in conference play last season, while boasting a 13-5 record overall. The Pioneers lost in the MPSF Tournament championship game to Stanford last spring, falling 11-10 in double-overtime. Denver has four all-MPSF honorees from a year ago in Harman and Secora, as well as junior attacker Lauren Ciccomascolo and senior midfielder Tulley Stapp.
Sunday's game can be heard and seen on www.GatorZone.com with Andrew Suarez and Michael Gillespie covering the action.
With the home opening weekends for Florida's nationally ranked lacrosse and softball teams, as well as the sixth annual Five Points of Life Race Weekend, there are special parking arrangements for Gator fans looking to attend the athletic events on Sunday, February 20th.
Fans are asked to park in the Harn Museum of Art parking lot by turning onto Hull Rd from 34th St. Drive east on Hull and turn into the Harn Museum of Art parking lot on the right. There will be areas in the flat lot cornered off for finishing race participants and medical personnel but there will be an area directly to the right after entering the lot that is available for Gator lacrosse and softball fans.
Additional parking will be available in the garage located in the PAC (Performing Arts Center) lot but it is necessary to drive around the back of the garage in order to avoid the Five Points of Life finish line and the Main Medical tent. A parking map can be seen here.
Gator fans are advised to arrive early in order to secure a parking spot and attend their events on time. Please follow all signs and officers' instructions. The gates open at 11 a.m. Please be sure to enter Dizney Lacrosse Stadium through the main gate located on Hull Rd. Surge Area Dr. will be closed in order to maintain the safety of race participants.
