Box Score | Highlights | Postgame with Coach O'Leary and Lindsey Ronbeck

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 16 Florida Gators gave No. 4 Syracuse an incredibly tight battle on Wednesday night, but ultimately fell to the Orange 14-13 in the final eight seconds of the game at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Lindsey Ronbeck led the offense attack for the Gators, recording five goals against the Orange. Grace Haus followed with five points of her own, pitching in two goals and three assists on the night.

As a squad, Florida caused nine turnovers, led by two from Caroline Benitez, Grace Haus and Shannon Kavanagh.

Sabrina Cristodero led the way in the draw circle, coming up with six wins, while Shannon Kavanagh added four and Ronbeck pitched in three.

Haley Hicklen notched eight saves in the cage, registering a .364 saves percentage.

How It Happened
The Gators got on the board first after Kassidy Bresnahan snuck one past the Syracuse goalie. But the Gators' lead would not hold for long, as Syracuse went on a 7-0 run over the course of the next 11 minutes.

Florida continued to fight, getting within five goals at 7-2 on a goal by Benitez. That was followed by a score from the Orange, but behind goals from Hannah Mardiney, Lindsey Ronbeck, Grace Haus and Eddy Shoop, the Gators got to within two with just over a minute to play in the half.

Syracuse scored the final goal of the period, taking the 9-6 lead into the locker room, but back-to-back goals out of the half by Haus and Ronbeck had Florida with one at 9-8.

Every time the Orange scored, the Gators answered right back, tying the game at 10-10 after Kavanagh converted on her free-position attempt.

The teams continued to trade goals over the next 10 minutes of the game, with Ronbeck hitting the game-tying goal on a pass from Haus with 44 seconds remaining – causing Dizney Stadium to erupt. Syracuse scored on a free-position attempt in the final eight seconds of the game to secure the victory.  

Records
No. 16 Florida (3-4, 0-0)
No 4 Syracuse (7-2, 1-1)

O'Leary's Insight

• "I have been coaching for 30-some years, but I have never been more proud of a team and their fight. We went out and were resilient. We worked well on both sides of the field and never gave up – I am super proud of our effort tonight."

Notables

• Lindsey Ronbeck currently sits at 185 career goals, trying to become just the third Gator to reach 200 goals
  • Ronbeck has potential to be the second-fastest Gator to reach the 200-goal mark. Shannon Gilroy did it in 67 games, while Kitty Cullen did it in 78 games. Ronbeck has currently played 65 games in a Gator uniform
• With her first groundball of the day, Haley Hicklen became Florida's all-time leader in groundballs (previous record was 152 – Caroline Fitzgerald)
• Shannon Kavanagh recorded two points against the Orange, moving her to 86 in her career
  • She is on track to become the 16th Gator to score at least 100 points in a career and she would be the sixth one to do so in her sophomore season
• Streaking: Haley Hicklen has recorded a save in 33-straight games, the second-best mark in program history.
• Streaking: Lindsey Ronbeck has also scored at least one goal in 18-straight games.
• Streaking: Two Gators inched closer to the record for most consecutive games with a draw control (27): Sabrina Cristodero (20), Shannon Kavanagh (19)
• Florida moves to 88-16 in the confines of Donald R. Dizney Stadium
• The Gators also move to 33-6 under the lights

Up Next

• The Gators return to Donald R. Dizney Stadium on Saturday to face North Carolina
• Opening draw is set for 1 p.m. with Ryan Urquhart and Annie Collins on the call
• Saturday will be an "Orange Out" where fans are encouraged to wear orange for Jada and Leukemia Awareness

 
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