11th Ranked Gators Set to Host Furman on Tuesday
First draw is set for 12 p.m. at Donald R. Dizney Stadium
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 11 Florida lacrosse team will play the third game of their five game homestand, as they take on the Furman Paladins on Tuesday afternoon. First draw is set for 12 p.m. with the game being streamed on ESPN+.
This is the second career meeting between these two programs, with Florida defeating Furman in their only other previous matchup by a score of 20-9 last season. The Gators outscored the Paladins 7-2 in the first quarter to lead them to victory. Danielle Pavinelli led the way for Florida, recording four goals and an assist, while 13 different players scored overall.
UF comes into this matchup with a 7-2 record and a seven-game winning streak. The Gators are coming off a 20-7 victory over Mercer on Saturday afternoon, where 15 different Gators recorded a point and 11 scored a goal. Pavinelli and Josie Hahn led the way, combining for seven goals in the win.
Outlook on the Paladins
Furman comes into this one with a 2-6 record, riding some momentum after defeating Queens (N.C) by a score of 13-11 on Saturday afternoon. They are led by Anna Roser and Sophie Shaw, who have combined for 44 of the 84 Paladins goals this season. Roser leads the team in goals with 26, while Shaw leads the team in points (30) and assists with 18 goals and 12 assists. Lauren Farber is the current Interim Head Coach in her first season. Farber was a former standout on the Furman lacrosse team, appearing in 50 games and making 27 starts from 2019-2022. The Paladins currently reside in the Big South Conference, and are in their 10th season of game play with an overall record of 85-66.
Gators Going Wild
The Florida offense has scored 20 or more goals in five of the last six games, and are averaging 20.50 goals per game over that span. Currently having the sixth ranked scoring offense in the country, the Gators have scored 123 goals on 211 shots (.583 shot percentage), with at least 10 different players recording a point over the last six games. Pavinelli (19), Emily Heller (19), Maggi Hall (17), Gianna Monaco (17), and Madison Waters (16) all have at least 15 goals for the Gators on the season.
Defense on Lockdown
UF has also got it done on defense, allowing 10 or less goals in five of the last six games, and have held their opponent to under a .500 shooting percentage in the last seven games. Theresa Bragg, Ashley Dyer and Heller lead the team with five caused turnovers each.
Liz on Fire
Draw Control specialist Liz Harrison has been a force in the center of the circle this season, already setting a career-high in a season with 104 draw controls. It has only taken the senior nine games to do that, as she is the only player in the country over 100 for the season. Harrison currently ranks second all-time in program history with 314 draw controls.
Key Notes
* Florida has a current 10 game regular season home winning streak, and a 129-23 home record overall
* The Gators jumped two spots in the IWLCA rankings, currently sitting at No. 11
* Danielle Pavinelli has dished out at least two assists in six straight games
* Gianna Monaco has at least two goals in five straight games
Milestone Watching
* Maggi Hall is one assist shy of 100 career assists
* Emily Heller is six draw controls shy of 200 career draw controls
* Amanda O’Leary is 11 wins shy of 400 career wins
Active Streaks (eight games or better)
* Maggi Hall<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/maggi-hall/16408>: points (28)
* Madison Waters<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/madison-waters/16420>: points (17)
* Emily Heller<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/emily-heller/16410>: points (16), goals (11)
* Liz Harrison: draw controls (10)
* Paisley Eagan: points (8)
* Danielle Pavinelli: points (8), goals (8)
Watch No. 11 Florida take on Furman<https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/2a01f64a-d588-4ff8-a5b7-e2b3e495e11f>
Follow throughout the game with live stats<https://statb.us/b/517429>
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