GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida lacrosse team opens its longest road trip of the season on Wednesday when it faces Cincinnati in a midweek contest before traveling play at Denver on Saturday. The UF-Cincinnati game is being played at the Sheakley Athletics Center and will begin at noon.
No. 6 Florida at Cincinnati Live Stream
Wednesday's game will be the fifth meeting all-time between the two programs, with Florida owning a 4-0 advantage in the series. Last season the Gators scored the first 16 goals in the game, including 15 in the first-half, on their way to an easy 19-2 victory over the Bearcats in Gainesville.
Florida enters the contest on a 28-game winning streak against BIG EAST opponents, which dates back to 2015 when the Gators suffered an 11-10 loss on the road at UConn. Since 2011, Florida has posted a 45-2 regular season conference record, including a 25-1 mark in the BIG EAST.
Cincinnati enters the game on a 6-game losing streak including a 20-8 loss to UConn in their last game. The Bearcats are winless in the BIG EAST this season and have a 4-3 record when playing at home.
Records
No. 6 Florida: 11-3 (6-0)
Cincinnati: 6-7 (0-6)
Head Coach Amanda O'Leary:
"We know Cincinnati is a really well-coached team. They have a lot of offensive firepowers. One of their best players, Monica Borzillo, is outstanding and she's young. We have our work cut out for us on the defensive end. They play a very good man-to-man, so again it's something where we're going to need to continue to push the fast break for those great opportunities and finish."
Scouting the Bearcats
Cincinnati has struggled since they began BIG EAST playback in mid-march. The Bearcats entered the conference slate with a 6-1 record but have since lost six straight and are still in search of their first BIG EAST win this season. The Bearcats are led by McKenna Rushford and Monica Borzillo, who have accounted for 59 of the teams 134 goals this season (44 percent). The pair has also earned 92 of the teams 190 points (48 percent) this season. In goal for the Bearcats is Giuliana Durson who has logged nearly 600 minutes this season. She has 103 saves on the year and a save percentage of .472. Cincinnati had been balanced in their scoring by period, with 69 first period goals and 65-second period goals.
Gators in the Second Half
Through 10 games this season, Florida has successfully completed three comebacks of four goals or more: (4 goals vs. No. 23 Loyola; 8 goals vs. No. 10 Navy; 4 goals at No. 24 Georgetown). The Gators have outscored their opponents by 30 goals in the second half and attempted 50 more second-half shots. Florida's defense has allowed just 17 goals in the second half over its last four outings.
No. 6 Florida at Cincinnati: Broadcast Information
Time: 12 p.m.
Live Stream: Bearcat TV
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats
Pregame Notes
Series Information
• Saturday's clash will be the fifth meeting between Florida and Cincinnati
• Florida leads: 4-0
• Home: 3-0 | Away: 1-0
• Last Time Out: April 8, 2017, in Gainesville, Fla., W, 19-2
Quick Facts
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Head Coach Amanda O'Leary won her 300th career game against Georgetown on March 24, becoming just the fifth coach in the history of DI women's lacrosse to do so.
• The Gators have won 28 consecutive games against BIG EAST opponents dating back to the 2015 season.
• #PirrecaPower: Pirreca sisters Shayna and Sydney, have combined to score 35 percent (79-of-224) of UF's goals in 2018.
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Shayna Pirreca has scored a goal in 34 consecutive games, a Florida lacrosse record. Pirreca has also tallied a point in 36 straight outings, the fourth-best mark in program history.
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Haley Hicklen has recorded a ground ball in 31 straight games, a Florida record
• Florida owns an 82-14 (.853) record all-time at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
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