GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida women's lacrosse team (12-2, 6-0) will begin a two-game road stretch on Saturday, with a conference test against the Butler Bulldogs (1-13, 0-6).
Butler is in its first season as a Division I lacrosse program, and joined Denver as additions to the BIG EAST Conference prior to the 2017 season.
The opening draw is set for 12 P.M. from Varsity Field in Indianapolis, Ind. Live stats will be available via StatBroadcast.
No. 3 Florida has been dominant in BIG EAST play, leading the conference in scoring offense (18.33) and scoring defense (7.00). Senior captains
Taylor Bresnahan and
Caroline Fitzgerald anchor a Gator defense that has held opponents to a .300 shooting percentage on 23 shot attempts per game. Through six games, sophomore goalkeeper
Haley Hicklen leads the BIG EAST with a .556 save percentage.
Butler won its first game as a program on March 8, 16-13 over Gardner-Webb. The Bulldogs are coming off a 19-7 loss at Temple. Journey Fischbeck (17 goals, 12 assists) and Carly Hewitt (13 caused turnovers, 15 ground balls) lead the way for Butler.
Explosive Offense
Florida's offense has put together one of its most successful campaigns in 2017. The Gators rank third in the NCAA in scoring offense (16.64), third in points per game (23.86), and ninth in assists per game (7.21). All of those marks are on pace to be Florida's highest in a single season.
All four Gator attackers:
Sammi Burgess,
Shayna Pirreca,
Lindsey Ronbeck, and
Mollie Stevens, along with midfielders
Allie Pavinelli and
Sydney Pirreca have set career-highs in points in just 14 games.
Florida is the only team in the nation to have three players with at least 53 points.
Head Coach Amanda O'Leary:
"We have an exciting opportunity to play a new team in the BIG EAST (Butler). It's been great to see them improve throughout the season and we're looking forward to giving them a great game tomorrow."
No. 3 Florida at Butler Broadcast Information
Time: 12 P.M.
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Pregame Notes
Series Information
- Saturday's game will be the first meeting between Florida and Butler
Quick Facts
- Caroline Fitzgerald is just two ground balls away from passing Nora Barry (141) for the most all-time at Florida
- With 76 draw controls this season, Mollie Stevens is only eight away from passing Shannon Gilroy (83) for the most in a single-season in Florida history
- The Gators have won 17 consecutive BIG EAST games dating back to the 2015 season
- #PirrecaPower: Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney have combined to score 28% (64/233) of Florida's goals this season
Up Next
The Gators will head to Philadelphia, Pa. to challenge BIG EAST rival Temple (12-2, 5-1) on April 22.
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