Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The third-ranked Florida lacrosse team (1-1) will challenge its third ranked opponent in a row to begin the 2018 season, No. 23 Loyola (0-1), on Sunday afternoon.
 
The opening draw is set for 12 p.m. from Donald R. Dizney Stadium. A live stream of the game will be available via YouTube, with Daniel Gillman and former Gator lacrosse alumnus Annabeth Collins on the call.
 
No. 3 Florida vs. No. 23 Loyola Live Stream
 
Sunday's tilt will feature the sixth meeting between the Gators and Greyhounds, with Florida currently owning a perfect 5-0 mark in the series.
 
The No. 23 Greyhounds are the third of eight IWLCA top-25 opponents for the Gators this season. UF has already played No. 17 Colorado and No. 1 Maryland, and still has No. 7 North Carolina, No. 4 Syracuse, No. 10 Navy, No. 11 Towson and No. 21 Denver left on the schedule.
 
Loyola enters Sunday's contest after dropping a 14-11 decision to No. 22 Johns Hopkins in its season opener.
 
Head Coach Amanda O'Leary:
"This is exciting for us. We have another opportunity to test ourselves against a top-25 opponent in Loyola at home on Sunday. Loyola is especially productive on the draw, so we will need to focus on boxing out in the circle and coming up with the 50/50 balls to be successful. We are looking to communicate a little better defensively, and clean up a few of our mental mistakes on the offensive end. The team has made an emphasis this year to focus only on the controllables." 

 
Family Ties
Second year Florida assistant coach Taryn VanThof was a three-time IWLCA All-American midfielder at Loyola from 2011-15. VanThof won a staggering 318 draw controls during her playing career, the most all-time at Loyola, and a mark that ranks 15th in NCAA history.
 
VanThof's younger sister, Taylor VanThof, is currently a junior midfielder at Loyola. The younger VanThof sister broke Taryn's single-season record of 122 draws in 2017, and has won 173 draw controls in her career thus far.
 
Scouting The Greyhounds
Loyola is coming off an 11-8 campaign in 2017. The Greyhounds ranked in the top-25 nationally in draw controls (6th), shooting percentage (15th), and assists (23rd). Hannah Powers, Taylor VanThof, and Kristen Yanchoris were all honored as ILWomen Preseason All-Americans prior to the start of the 2018 season.  
 
No. 3 Florida vs. No. 23 Loyola Broadcast Information
Time: 12 p.m.
Live Stream: YouTube
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats
Pregame Notes
 
Series Information

• Sunday's game will be the sixth meeting between Florida and Loyola
• Florida leads: 5-0
• Home: 3-0 | Away: 2-0
• Last Time Out: March 8, 2017 at Loyola | W, 15-5

 
Quick Facts

• 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 294-98 in 23 seasons as a head coach.
• Lindsey Ronbeck (95) is on the verge of becoming the 10th Gator to score at least 100 career goals.
• Haley Hicklen needs 47 saves to move into second place all-time at Florida.
• Florida owns a 78-13 (.857) record all-time at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
• #PirrecaPower: Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney have combined to score 40% (12/30) of UF's goals in 2018.

 
Fan Information
Admission is free to all regular season Florida lacrosse home games. Pet Adoption Day: Bring an item to donate to a local pet shelter and receive a voucher for a free hot dog. Be sure to stay in your seats at halftime, as there will be a live performance by the Soccer Collies!
 
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