GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On the road for the first time in 2018, the No. 4 Florida lacrosse team (3-1) faces a stiff road test at the No. 3 North Carolina Tar Heels (3-1) in Chapel Hill on Saturday.
The opening draw is set for 1:15 p.m. from Kenan Memorial Stadium. A live stream of the game will be available via the ACC Network Extra, with Daron Vaught and
Keith Barnes on the call.
No. 4 Florida at No. 3 North Carolina Live Stream
Saturday's marquee tilt will feature the 10th meeting between the Gators and Tar Heels, with North Carolina maintaining a 7-2 edge in the series.
The third-ranked Tar Heels are the fourth of eight IWLCA top-25 opponents for the Gators this season. UF has already challenged No. 17 Colorado, No. 1 Maryland, and No. 23 Loyola, with No. 3 North Carolina, No. 5 Syracuse, No. 11 Navy, No. 10 Towson, and No. 21 Denver still left on the schedule. The Gators are 2-1 against ranked opponents in 2018.
In their last outing, UNC handed then-No. 1 Maryland its first loss in 25 games, in a 16-15 overtime decision.
Head Coach Amanda O'Leary:
"Playing at North Carolina is going to be a terrific test for us. They (UNC) have been some of our best competition year-in and year-out, and it is always an exciting game when we meet. North Carolina proved last week that they can beat anyone in the country, so we will need to come out of the locker room locked in, and focus on the little things to come out on top."
Exclusive Company
Since 2011, Florida and North Carolina have the second and third most wins of any Division I women's lacrosse team.
Institution W-L Win Percentage
Maryland 154-11 .933
FLORIDA 124-25 .832
North Carolina 121-29 .807
Syracuse 121-40 .752
Last Time in Chapel Hill
On February 20, 2016, UF upset No. 2 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, 16-15, behind a five-goal outburst from then-freshman
Sydney Pirreca. Sydney DuPre led the Gator defense, causing three turnovers and ultimately scoring the game-winning goal. Florida would finish the 2016 season with an 18-2 record and six wins over ranked foes.
Scouting the Tar Heels
North Carolina has turned in a 37-4 record in its past 40 games, winning the 2016 NCAA Championship. The Tar Heels have won three consecutive ACC regular season titles and back-to-back ACC Tournament Championships. Senior Midfielder Marie McCool (18 goals, 20 points, 31 draw controls) leads the way for UNC.
No. 4 Florida at No. 3 North Carolina Broadcast Information
Time: 1:15 p.m.
Live Stream: ACC Network Extra
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Pregame Notes
Series Information
- Saturday's game will be the 10th meeting between Florida and North Carolina
- North Carolina leads: 7-2
- Home: 0-2 | Away: 2-5
- Last Time Out: February 11, 2017 in Gainesville | L, 13-10
Quick Facts
- The Gators and Tar Heels have posted nearly identical records since the 2016 season: UF is 38-6 during that stretch, while UNC is 40-6.
- 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 296-98 in 23 seasons as a head coach.
- Haley Hicklen needs just 26 saves to move into second place all-time at Florida.
- #PirrecaPower: Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney have combined to score 35% (22/63) of UF's goals in 2018.
Up Next
The Gators wrap up a stretch of four games in 11 days on Wednesday, with a road test at No. 5 Syracuse (3-0) set for 2 p.m.
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