during the Gators' game against the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays on Friday, May 10, 2019 at UNC Soccer & Lacrosse Stadium in Chapel Hill, NC / UAA Communications photo by Andy Mead

No. 10 Florida Lacrosse to Host Old Dominion

The No. 10 Florida Gators lacrosse team is set to take on Old Dominion on Saturday with the opening draw slated for 12 p.m. Florida is 8-4 on the season, while Old Dominion is 5-8.

The Gators will host the Monarchs at Donald R. Dizney Stadium after returning from a three-game road trip.

Last Time Out

Florida enters the game with confidence after opening conference play with a 19-12 victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats, earning their sixth-straight win. Meanwhile, Old Dominion began league play with a loss to East Carolina 14-11.

Against Cincinnati, the Gators were led by five goals from Emma LoPinto. Danielle Pavinelli followed with another four of her own, and Maggi Hall gained her fifth hat trick of the season with three goals. Paisley Eagan added another two goals for Florida, with Josie Hahn, Emily Heller, Sarah Mackey, Ashley Gonzalez and Bella Palagonia each registering a goal of their own.

Florida won 19 draws on the day, led by five from Emily Heller and three from Pavinelli and Harrison. Pavinelli recorded a career-high five assists, followed by LoPinto who tallied two assists in the win. LoPinto also picked up a career-high and team-high three groundballs, with two apiece from Tydings and Catherine Flaherty.

Additionally, the Gators held the Bearcats to 12-of-38 shooting (a .316 shooting percentage) and caused four turnovers from Emma Wightman, Maeson Tydings, Catherine Moriarty and Eagan.

Sarah Reznick posted seven saves for Florida and Julia Hammerschlag came up with one.

A Look at the Monarchs

The Gators will meet with the Monarchs for the third time in program history. Florida holds a 2-0 series advantage over Old Dominion. In their last game on April 25, 2021, the Gators came out on top 17-4.

Old Dominion currently holds a 5-8 record, with wins over Radford, Longwood, Delaware State, Niagara and Howard.

The Monarchs are led offensively by Lilly Siskind (44g, 19a), Maddie Mullenbach (23g, 7a) and Corrinne Stratton (18g, 3a). Siskind reached 100 career goals during Monday’s game against East Carolina.

Meanwhile in the draw circle, Caroline Shaefer and Stratton lead the way with 52 and 28 draws.

Additionally, Lauren Carey has a team-high 18 turnovers, followed by Maria Rekus (14) and Katie McGrain (10). Jenna Peccia has seen a majority of minutes in the cage for the Monarchs, posting 143 saves and recording a .493 save percentage.

Gators in the National Spotlight

Florida is now No. 10 in the ILWomen/IWLCA poll after eight weeks of play.

Through 12 games in the 2022 season, the Gators rank in the Top-35 nationally among nine categories:

  • shooting percentage (4th | .503)
  • assists per game (9th | 7.58)
  • turnovers per game (11.92)
  • points per game (15th | 22.50)
  • caused turnovers per game (16th | 9.58)
  • scoring margin (17th| 4.67)
  • offensive scoring (19th | 14.92)
  • defensive scoring (24th | 10.25)
  • shots on goal per game (32nd | 23.33)

The following Gators are ranked in the Top-50 nationally:

  • Maggi Hall – Shot percentage: 6th | .625
  • Emma LoPinto – Assists: 18th | 23, Assists per game: 25th | 1.92, Goals: 50th | 33, Points: 16th | 56, Points per game: 24th | 4.67, Shot percentage: 30th | .569
  • Danielle Pavinelli – Assists: 48th | 17, Free position goals per game: 16th | 1.00, Free position percentage: 4th | .750, Goals: 12th | 43, Goals per game: 18th | 3.58, Points: 11th | 60, Points per game: 15th | 5.00, Shots per game: 42nd | 6.58, Shots on goal per game: 21st | 5.42
  • Sarah Reznick – Goals against average: 23rd | 10.44, Saves: 45th | 90, Saves percentage: 42nd | .446
  • Emma Wightman – Caused turnovers per game: 16th | 1.83

About Ellie Shreve

Ellie is a third-year sports and media journalism major at the University of Florida.

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