BIG EAST Notes - 5.4.18
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The BIG EAST Women’s Lacrosse Championship presented by Jeep concludes on Saturday as No. 1 seed Florida faces No. 3 seed Denver in the title game at noon ET. The game will air live from Donald R. Dizney Stadium on FS2. Saturday’s winner receives the league’s automatic berth into the 2018 NCAA Championship. The Gators defeated fourth-seeded Marquette, 19-8, to advance to the championship game for the fourth straight year, while the Pioneers knocked off No. 2 seed Georgetown, 12-7, to punch their ticket to the final for the second year in a row.
Florida and Denver met in last season’s BIG EAST title game, with the Gators scoring an 18-12 victory thanks to seven points (5g, 2a) and six draw controls from Mollie Stevens. Lindsey Ronbeck, Thursday night’s star, had a hat trick and three assist against the Pioneers in last season’s bout and went off for five goals when the two teams met in Denver earlier this season. Julia Feiss had five goals for the Pioneers in last season’s championship game and six points (3g, 3a) against the Gators during the 2018 regular season.
The Gators won in Denver during the regular season, 18-13, back on April 21. The teams entered halftime tied, 7-7, with UF scoring the game’s first six goals and DU responding with a 7-0 run before Allie Pavinelli scored with a second left in the frame to knot the game. Florida outscored Denver, 11-6, over the final 30 minutes, using a 13-5 advantage in draw controls in the second half to pull ahead.
Ronbeck is bound to be the focal point of the Florida offense. The junior attacker broke a number of BIG EAST Championship records last night against Marquette, including goals scored in a half (5), goals scored in a game (8) and goals scored in a career (19). Her goals average on the season (3.60) ranks second in the BIG EAST, as does her points average (4.53). Cara Trombetta is the defensive leader, matching the league championship record for caused turnovers (5) last night and averaging 1.94 per game on the year.
Elizabeth Behrins sparked the Denver offense last night with four goals and an assist as the junior midfielder has at least one point in eight of her last nine outings. The five-point night matched her season high. Carson Gregg remains impressive in the cage for the Pioneers, racking up double-digit saves (10) for the sixth time this season last night against the Hoyas.
The BIG EAST Championship’s top seed has won the last five titles and seven of 11 overall, with a No. 3 seed taking home the crown twice in conference history (2009, 2011). Higher seeds are 8-3 all-time in the final, with the last upset coming in 2012 when No. 2 Loyola knocked off No. 1 Syracuse, 13-7.
A win for Denver would halt Florida’s BIG EAST Championship record winning streak at seven games and guarantee the Pioneers’ first NCAA Championship berth since 2014. A win for the Gators would lock up their eighth consecutive NCAA berth and fourth straight BIG EAST title, most by any team in league history, consecutive or otherwise. Geogetown also remains in the hunt for an NCAA bid, sitting at 12-6 on the season and 13
th in the latest NCAA RPI. The NCAA Selection show is set for 9:30 p.m. ET on ncaa.com.
BIG EAST Women’s Lacrosse Championship presented by Jeep
Donald R. Dizney Stadium
University of Florida - Gainesville, Fla.
Semifinals - Thursday, May 3
No. 1 seed Florida 19, No. 4 seed Marquette 8*
No. 3 seed Denver 12, No. 2 seed Georgetown 7*
Final - Saturday, May 5
No. 1 seed Florida vs. No. 3 seed Denver, Noon^
*BEDN
^FS2
All times Eastern