Two of the nation's unbeaten women's lacrosse teams face off in Gainesville Saturday, March 19, at noon when No. 1 Maryland (5-0) visits Gainesville for a clash with the No. 2 Gators (9-0) at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
NO. 2 FLORIDA VS. NO. 1 MARYLAND PROMOTIONS
NO. 2 FLORIDA VS. NO. 1 MARYLAND BROADCAST INFORMATION |
GAME NOTESMaryland Terrapins (March 19)Time: 12 Noon (ET)
Live Stream LinkAudio Only LinkLive StatsPARKINGIt's a big day Saturday for Gator athletics as No. 1 Florida softball also hosts No. 16 Tennessee at noon across the street from The Diz at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Fans for both softball and lacrosse are encouraged to park in the parking lot west of Donald R. Dizney Lacrosse Stadium near the Phillips Center and Harn Museum of Art, where EZ Event Ride shuttles will shuttle fans from their cars to both stadiums for softball and lacrosse, respectively. This service will be provided free of charge to all fans.
The shuttles, which seat six-to-eight- individuals, will run two hours before softball first pitch and operate during both games and until both stadiums are empty for the day.
As a reminder, due to pedestrian safety concerns, UF Transportation and Parking Services and the University Athletic Association ask that fans do not park on roadways or grass near roadways surrounding both Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium and Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Any cars parked in these areas will be ticketed.
SETTING THE SCENECornell (5-0) and No. 12 Southern California (5-0) join the No. 2 Gators and No. 1 Terps as undefeated teams up to this point in the season.
The Gators and Terps have common opponents in North Carolina and Syracuse so far on the season, as Maryland also defeated UNC (8-7) in Chapel Hill and Syracuse (14-9) at Syracuse.
Florida has defeated six ranked opponents so far in 2016, three of those on the road. Breaking it down, the Gators own two top-five wins, three top-10 wins, five top-15 wins and six top-20 victories this season. Florida will play its seventh ranked clash Saturday against the Terrapins.
The Gators have never played a 1 vs. 2 match-up in the program's six-and-a-half year history. Florida is 2-2 all-time against the No. 1 ranked team in the country, twice defeating Northwestern, while falling short to UNC in 2014 and most recently Maryland in 2015 in College Park.
Florida is additionally 4-3 against the defending national champion, having played the previous year's champ five of the last six seasons. The Gators' game with Maryland Saturday marks the sixth time in seven years of UF's program history Florida will meet the defending champ.
FLORIDA VS. NO. 1 TEAMS (2-2) WHO'S HOTRedshirt senior
Nicole Graziano,
who was added to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List Thursday, is on fire for the Orange and blue. Graziano has played some of her best lacrosse the last two weeks for the Gators through a stretch of three ranked opponents in Stony Brook, Boston College and Towson. Since March 6, the fifth-year senior has led the Gators in goals (10), points (12), draw controls (13) and caused turnovers (8). Graziano tied a University of Florida single-game record with five caused turnovers Monday against No. 17 Towson. She ranks 34th in the country with 26 points this season and 43rd with her 18 goals scored.
Graziano has risen to the occasion in Florida's biggest games this season. Through clashes with six ranked foes so far, Graziano has racked up team highs in goals (13), assists (6), points (19), ground balls (11), draw controls (15) and caused turnovers (11).
UP NEXTAfter Saturday's showdown with the Terps, the Gators will turn their sights to their March 26 clash with Vanderbilt, which will kick off the BIG EAST schedule for the Orange and Blue. Opening draw between the Gators and Commodores will be noon at The Diz, and the match-up will stream live on SEC Network .
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