Florida Gators

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Up next for the Gators, a trip to Cincinnati for No. 2 Florida's final regular-season road tilt. As the 2016 regular-season winds down, No. 2 Florida has just two regular-season games remaining before postseason play. First up, a mid-week clash with the Bearcats at Sheakley Athletics Center slated for noon Wednesday.
 
Last time out at Villanova, the Orange and Blue clinched a spot in the four-team BIG EAST Tournament with a 14-4 victory in Philly. The Gators (14-1, 5-0 BIG EAST) sit tied with UConn atop the conference standings heading into the final week of play. Both Florida and UConn are undefeated in league play -- and scheduled to meet on UF's Senior Day Sunday, April 24.
 
With wins for both teams Wednesday – Florida at Cincy and UConn vs. Georgetown – the Gators and Huskies will be playing for all the regular-season marbles Sunday in Gainesville.
 
Last season, Florida's first year in the BIG EAST, UF shared the regular-season title with Georgetown and went on to win the tournament to add UF's fifth conference title in the program's sixth season of existence.
 
The battle-tested Gators are off to one of the best starts in school history at 14-1 overall with six ranked wins under their belt. UF enters this week ranked ninth in the NCAA in save percentage (.507), 10th in the nation in scoring margin (5.80/g), 12th in scoring defense (7.33/g) and 16th in scoring offense (13.13/g). As a team, the Gators also check in 18th in points per game (18.53/g), 20th in assists per game (5.40/g) and 29th in ground balls per game (17.93/g).
 
Florida is 2-0 all-time against Cincinnati, and will be taking on the Bearcats for the first time in Cincy territory. The Gators emerged with a 19-6 decision in the first meeting between the two programs February 23, 2014, in Gainesville and most recently defeated the Cats 20-1 April 15 of last season at The Diz. Cincinnati is 4-10 on the season, and enters the match up 0-4 in BIG EAST play.
 
Cincinnati has endured a tough patch as of late, having dropped eight straight games heading into the match-up with the Gators Wednesday. The Bearcats are playing for their first conference win of the season and will leave it all on the field in their regular season home finale at Sheakley Athletics Center.
 
LAST TIME OUT | Recap & Highlights
Last week, the Gators defeated both Marquette (15-5) and Villanova (14-4) to improve to 14-1 overall, 5-0 in conference play. Freshman Lindsey Ronbeck powered the Gators with eight goals and 10 points through the two-game span. For her efforts, Ronbeck was tabbed the IL Women National Rookie of the Week and BIG EAST Freshman of the Week.
 
While Ronbeck netted a hat trick to lead UF with three goals against Nova, sophomore Shayna Pirreca put up a team high five points, including a career high three assists, as the No. 2 Gators defeated the Villanova Wildcats 14-4 Saturday at Villanova Stadium to clinch one of four spots in the 2016 BIG EAST Tournament. Nine Gators scored in the affair that saw 30 available athletes on the UF roster contribute on the field to the win.
 
Against Marquette last Wednesday, it was the three-time BIG EAST Freshman of the Week that shined for Florida. Ronbeck had a career high five goals and seven points in mid-week action nearly a week ago. Ronbeck, whose seven points were the most for a Gator in a game this season, scored four of the Gators first seven goals including the first two of the game as the Orange and Blue worked a shutout first period for the 12-0 lead at the half against the Golden Eagles working towards the eventual 15-5 final. Again, all 29 available Gators played against Marquette.
 
NO. 2 FLORIDA AT CINCINNATI BROADCAST INFORMATION
Cincinnati Bearcats (April 20) 
Time: 12 Noon (ET)
Live Stream
Live Stats
 
THE RECORDS
No. 2 Florida: 14-1, 5-0 BIG EAST
Cincinnati: 4-10, 0-4 BIG EAST
 
UP NEXT
After taking to the field against Cincinnati Wednesday, the Orange and Blue return home for the regular-season finale and Senior Day against UConn April 24 at noon. Florida will then enjoy a week-long break before heading to Washington, DC, for the 2016 BIG EAST Tournament May 5-7 at Georgetown's Cooper Field.
 
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