First Draw is set for 12 p.m. on ESPNU at Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex.
Watch Florida take on fourth-seeded Maryland at 12 p.m. on ESPNU<https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/ebef080e-4e97-4d14-a769-a232aea58b80>
Follow along throughout the game for live stats<https://umterps.com/sidearmstats/wlax/summary>
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Florida lacrosse team (19-2, 6-0 AAC) will look to make it 20 wins in row, as they travel to College Park, Md. to take on the fourth-seeded Maryland Terrapins (14-5, 4-2 Big Ten) in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. Opening draw is set for 12 p.m. at Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex. The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU.
It is the 11th career meeting between the two programs, with Maryland leading the all-time series 8-2. Florida leads the season series 1-0. It is the second career postseason matchup between these two schools, as they played each other in the 2022 NCAA quarterfinals where the Gators were defeated by a score of 18-5.
Back Where it Began
The Gators return back to the place where they got their first win of the season and started their program record 19 game winning streak. UF defeated Maryland by a score of 13-12 in overtime on Feb. 24. Florida was trailing 7-2 at halftime, before outscoring the Terrapins 11-5 in the second half and overtime, as Emily Heller scored the game winning goal in a thrilling victory. UF did not lose a draw control in the second half, as they won that battle 7-0 led by Liz Harrison who had 10 on the day. Paisley Eagan and Madison Waters combined for seven goals in the win, and Georgia Hoey earned her first victory in the cage, stopping seven shots.
Last Time Out
Florida took down the fifth-seeded Virginia Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon by a score of 13-8 in Charlottesville. The Gators outscored Virginia 5-1 in the fourth quarter to lead by as many as six and pull away for the win. Danielle Pavinelli (four goals, one assist), Ashley Gonzalez (three goals, two assists) and Maggi Hall (two goals, three assists) each had five points, combining for 15 of the teams 22 on the day.
The Gators are in their eighth quarterfinals in program history, owning a career record of 15-12 in the NCAA Tournament. Florida and Michigan are the only two unseeded teams in the quarterfinals, as the Gators are looking to be the first unseeded team to make the final four since 2017.
Outlook on the Terrapins
The Terrapins are coming off a round two victory over James Madison by a score of 17-7 on Sunday afternoon. Maryland is led offensively by Eloise Clevenger and Hannah Leubecker. Clevenger leads the team in points (83) and assists (52), while Leubecker leads the squad in goals with 52.
Meghan Ball leads the team in caused turnovers (37) and ground balls (36), along with Shaylan Ahearn who leads the squad in draw controls with 104. Maryland is coached by Cathy Reese, who is in 21st season overall and her 18th in College Park. She owns a career record of 371-75.
Gators on Lock
For the second time in program history and first time since 2021, Florida has held their opponents to under 10 goals in the first and second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Gator’s defense has been a steady unit all year, ranking fourth nationally in scoring defense allowing just 8.19 goals per game. UF has allowed 16 total goals in the first and second round, holding North Carolina and Virginia to a combined 16 for 53 (.302 percent) shooting.
Gator Leaders
Goals: Maggi Hall (54)
Assists: Maggi Hall (53)
Points: Maggi Hall (107)
Shots: Danielle Pavinelli (97)
Ground Balls: Elyse FInnelle (33)
Caused Turnovers: Ashley Dyer (16)
Draw Controls: Liz Harrison (227)
Saves: Elyse Finnelle (138)
Key Notes
* Both of Florida’s victories over Maryland have come in College Park
* Florida (229) and Maryland (254) rank first and second in wins among division l programs since 2011
* The Gators are outscoring opponents by a +11.79 margin per game over this 19 game winning streak, averaging 18.89 goals per contest
* Florida has seven players from the state of Florida (Theresa Bragg, Ashley Dyer, Elyse Finnelle, Frannie Hahn, Josie Hahn, Maggi Hall and Kelly Schleuderberg) along with Coach O’Leary who was an assistant coach from 1992-93
* The Gators have nine different players averaging at least one goal per game
Milestone Watching
* Maggi Hall is one point away from the all-time points record in a season, and four points away from passing Ashley Bruns for fifth all-time
* Madison Waters is one goal away from 100 for her career
* Ashley Gonzalez is one assist away from 100 for her career
* Danielle Pavinelli is seven points away from 300 in her career, four points away from passing Shannon Kavanagh for third all-time, and two goals away from passing Kitty Cullen for fourth all-time
* Hannah Heller is two ground balls away from 100 in her career
Active Streaks (eight games or better)
* Maggi Hall<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/maggi-hall/16408>: points (40)
* Liz Harrison<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/liz-harrison/16409>: draw controls (22)
* Danielle Pavinelli<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/danielle-pavinelli/16417>: points (20)
* Ashley Gonzalez<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/ashley-gonzalez/16405>: points (19)
* Elyse Finnelle<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/elyse-finnelle/16402>: saves (13)
* Emily Heller: draw controls (9)
* Paisley Eagan: draw controls (9)
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