UF LAX: 11th Ranked Gators Open up Conference Play on Saturday Against Old Dominion

Opening draw is set for 12 p.m. at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 11 ranked Florida lacrosse team welcomes in the Old Dominion Monarchs for their first game of AAC play this season. First draw is slated for Saturday at 12 p.m., with the game being streamed on ESPN+. Saturdays match will be the Gators Jada Strong Game, where the first 200 fans will receive a Jada Strong athletic t-shirt, along with orange shakers and wristbands being given out.

This is the fifth career meeting between the two programs, with Florida leading the series 4-0. The Gators have won all four matchups by at least 11 goals, including last season when they defeated the Monarchs by a score of 17-5 on the road. Nine different players scored, led by six points apiece from Maggi Hall and Danielle Pavinelli. Florida has scored at least 17 goals and held Old Dominion to six goals or less in every previous match.

Florida comes into this one red hot, currently on an eight-game winning streak, sitting at 8-2 on the season. They are coming off a 23-7 victory over Furman on Tuesday afternoon. The Gators had 14 different players find the back of the net, led by Paisley Eagan who tied a career-high with four goals and Ashley Gonzalez who totaled a hat-trick.

Outlook on the Monarchs
Old Dominion is currently 3-7 (0-1, AAC) on the season, coming off a 13-9 loss to Cincinnati last Sunday. The Monarchs are led by the three headed attack of Emma Arnold (22 goals, eight assists), Sydney Taylor (21 goals, eight assists) and Lilly Siskind (19 goals, nine assists) who have combined for 68.9 percent of the teams goals this season. Jenna Peccia paces the team in net, as she is tied for ninth in the country in saves with 91. Old Dominion is coached by Theresa Walton who is currently in her second season.

Conference Control
Since joining the AAC in 2019, Florida has a 25-1 record in conference, including a 15-0 record at home. The Gators have won three regular season AAC titles, and all four conference tournament championships. Overall, Florida has a 77-7 record in conference play, and 42-1 record at home.

Gators Going Wild
As we enter conference play, Florida sits first in the American in goals per game (17.90), assists per game (8.80), points per game (26.70), draw controls per game (18.70), and shot percentage (.547). The Gators rank top five nationally in all those categories, including first in draw controls per game.

Sharing is Caring
Not only do the Gators rank fifth in the country in assists per game, but they have had six games this season with at least 10 or more different goal scorers. Florida averages 10.3 different goal scorers per game, while having nine players with double digit goals and 10 players with double digit points. Hall leads the team in points with 44, followed by Pavinelli with 37.

Key Notes

* Florida has won 12 straight regular season home games
* They have scored 20 or more goals in six games this season
* Florida’s eight game winning streak is the second highest in the country behind only Michigan
* It is the seventh straight season they have had a winning streak of eight or more
Milestone Watching

* Maggi Hall is one assist away from 100 career assists
* Emily Heller is four draw controls away from 200 career draw controls
* Sarah Falk is six points away from 200 career points
* Amanda O’Leary is 10 wins away from 400 career wins
* Liz Harrison is 23 draw controls away from becoming the program leader
* Ashley Gonzalez is three assists away from passing Shannon Kavanagh for fifth all-time
Active Streaks (eight games or better)

* Maggi Hall<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/maggi-hall/16408>: points (29)
* Madison Waters<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/madison-waters/16420>: points (18)
* Emily Heller<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/emily-heller/16410>: points (17), goals (12)
* Liz Harrison: draw controls (11)
* Paisley Eagan: points (9)
* Danielle Pavinelli: points (9)
* Gianna Monaco: points (8), goals (8)
Watch No. 11 Florida take on Old Dominion<https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/18f743e6-bfc5-4f56-85be-88c814d823d8>
Follow throughout the game for live stats<https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=517430>
For more information, click here for game notes<https://floridagators.com/documents/2024/3/21/Game_11-Old_Dominion.pdf>