Tickets// THE OPENING DRAW
The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team will play host to sixth-ranked Florida Wednesday inside Gettler Stadium as both teams will square off in a BIG EAST Conference game starting at noon. The Bearcats (6-7, 0-6 BIG EAST), who will be facing their third nationally-ranked foe in the past five games, will look to snap a six-game slide, but will have to do so against the Gators (11-3, 6-0), who have won five in a row and been ranked among the Top 10 nationally all season.
// FOLLOW US
GoBearcats.com is your one-stop destination for all things UC Athletics. Socially, the team can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with all using the handle GoBearcatsLAX. Head Coach Gina Oliver (@GinaOliverUC) also can be followed on Twitter.
// GOING LIVE
All 10 home games on the schedule this season will be streamed live by BearcatsTV will all airing free of charge. Visit the lacrosse schedule page on GoBearcats.com and click WATCH next to the game you want to view. A link for live stats can be found on the schedule as well.
// EXPERIENCE UC
Once again in 2018, all home games will be part of the Experience UC initiative, which is geared toward inviting the community to campus to see firsthand the great things about and surrounding the university. Experience UC includes complimentary admission for patrons attending women's basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming and diving and track and field home events.
// QUICK SHOTS
• Cincinnati continues to lead the nation in ground balls per game average with 27.31 per contest
• With 355 ground balls, UC has broken its single-season team record with four games to play
• The Bearcats also rank 13th nationally in caused turnovers, averaging 11.00 per game
• Borzillo continues to be ranked in the Top 10 of the BIG EAST in all three major scoring categories
• Durso leads the league in saves per game average (10.15) and ranks 15th nationally as well
// GROUND LEVEL
The Bearcats continue to lead the nation and the conference in ground balls per game average despite a slight dip in their average from last week. Through 13 games, the Bearcats average collecting 27.31 ground balls per game, down slightly from last week's leading total of 27.75.
// TEAM RECORD
The 355 ground balls the Bearcats have scooped up so far this season breaks the previous single-season team record of 351 collected by the 2010 squad. The 355 ground balls this year also gives Coach Gina Oliver's teams the #1 and #3 totals in program history after the Bearcats tallied 347 last year. Outside of the Top 3 totals, the previous record came in 2009 with 329 ground balls, 26 fewer than this year's total with the Bearcats still having four more games on the schedule.
// DUKES CLOSING IN
So far this year, four players have recorded at least 30 ground balls with five others tallying 20 or more. The leader of that group, however, is a freshman as Morgan Dukes has picked up 35 this year, the 10th-most in a single season at UC. Should she grab five more this year, she would become just the fifth different player in program history with 40 or more in a season.
// BORZILLO AMONG LEADERS
Monica Borzillo continues to be ranked among the Top 10 in all three major offensive categories in the BIG EAST as she sits fourth with 4.31 points per game, fifth with 1.69 assists per game and tied for 10th with 2.62 goals per game. Her points per game total also ranks her 31st nationally through last week's games.
// BORZILLO REWRITING THE BOOKS
Just a sophomore, Borzillo has risen high in the single-season Top 10 lists this year. Her 56 points (34g/22a) ranks as the second-most in a season behind the 73 she recorded last year as a rookie. She currently ranks sixth with 34 goals and third with 22 assists.
// RUSHFORD AIMING FOR MORE
McKenna Rushford, who ranks 10th in the league in both assists per game (1.15) and points per game (3.62) is also climbing up the single season ledgers. Currently, she has tallied 47 points, leaving her three away from becoming just the third Bearcats player to tally 50 or more in a season. If she does, she will join Borzillo (#1 at 73 in 2017 and #2 at 56 this year) and Laura Simanski (#3 at 52 in 2009) as the only three at 50+. Rushford currently ranks #8 on the single-season goals list (32) and #3 in free-position goals (11). Should she score two more FPGs, she will tie for the single-season record of 13 set in 2015 by Courtney Curtis.
// CLOSING IN
Through 13 games, UC has already tied for the third-best win total in program history. In the 11 years the program has competed at the varsity level, UC has won six games three times (2014, 2017, 2018) and seven games twice (2009, 2013).
// SCOUTING: FLORIDA
The sixth-ranked Gators (11-3 overall, 6-0 BIG EAST) enter the game Wednesday game with a highly potent offensive attack as UF lead the BIG EAST in both points per game (21.64) and goals per game (16.00). Lindsey Ronbeck leads the way for the Gators with 48 points on 36 goals and 12 assists while ranking third in the conference with 4.36 points per contest and fourth in goals per game average (3.27). The 21.64 points per game ranks 13th nationally while UF finds its name among the Top 20 nationally in 12 categories. Defensively, UF is 36th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 10.64 goals per game, while ranking 13th nationally with a 5.36 scoring margin. Haley Hicklen leads the defense as she is #1 in the BIG EAST in save percentage (.489) and #2 in goals against average (10.85), saves (131) and saves per game (9.36).
// SERIES HISTORY
Wednesday's game will mark the fifth time the two teams have met with Florida winning each of the previous four, including three in Gainesville. The last time the two teams played was last year at UF with the #3 Gators winning, 19-2, on April 8. The only previous time UF has played at Cincinnati came in 2016 with the second-ranked visitors scoring a 17-5 victory on April 20.
// RECAP: UC DROPS ROAD CONTEST AT UCONN
The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team dropped a 20-8 decision at UConn in BIG EAST Conference action on Friday at the Sherman Family Sports Complex. The Bearcats (6-7, 0-6 BIG EAST) have dropped six in-a-row after their recent six game winning streak. UConn evened its record at 7-7 (3-3 BIG EAST). UC trailed 4-0 before back-to-back goals by Kate Carney and Sam Mlkvy made it 4-2, but the Bearcats didn't capitalize on the momentum and trailed 9-2 before Amanda Donovan found the back of the net to make things 9-3. Monica Borzillo added her 34th goal of the year to close out the first-half scoring. Mlkvy added her second just after halftime, Gianna Napoletano added her first of two scores, Alyssa Adams scored and Napoletano added her second to close out UC's scoring. The Bearcats were even with the Huskies with 14 draw controls apiece, but UC turned it over 29 times and trailed 24-22 on ground balls.
PREVIOUSLY NOTED
// BORZILLO AMONG THE BEST
The Cincinnati USA Women's Sports Association announced its annual award winners with Monica Borzillo being named the 2018 College Sportswoman of the Year for Lacrosse, the first time a Bearcats lacrosse player has been selected for the honor. In its 25th year of celebrating high school and collegiate student-athletes and coaches from the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area, the Association will hold its annual banquet Monday, April 16, with all sports winners being up for selection as the College Sportswoman of the Year, an honor a student-athlete at UC has won four times since 2011.
// GOING TO EUROPE
This summer, the Bearcats will be going international as they will travel to both the Netherlands and Greece where they will play against some top international competition. The team is currently accepting gifts that will go toward the UC Athletics Women's Excellence Fund in support of the lacrosse program and their June trip across the pond. For more information and to give your gift, visit: http://bit.ly/CinLAXGreece.
// NEXT TIME
Cincinnati will play a pair of games this weekend, first traveling to Indianapolis Saturday for a 2 p.m. game at Butler before returning home to face first-year program ECU in a noon game at Gettler Stadium Monday.
The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team will play host to sixth-ranked Florida Wednesday inside Gettler Stadium as both teams will square off in a BIG EAST Conference game starting at noon. The Bearcats (6-7, 0-6 BIG EAST), who will be facing their third nationally-ranked foe in the past five games, will look to snap a six-game slide, but will have to do so against the Gators (11-3, 6-0), who have won five in a row and been ranked among the Top 10 nationally all season.
// FOLLOW US
GoBearcats.com is your one-stop destination for all things UC Athletics. Socially, the team can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with all using the handle GoBearcatsLAX. Head Coach Gina Oliver (@GinaOliverUC) also can be followed on Twitter.
// GOING LIVE
All 10 home games on the schedule this season will be streamed live by BearcatsTV will all airing free of charge. Visit the lacrosse schedule page on GoBearcats.com and click WATCH next to the game you want to view. A link for live stats can be found on the schedule as well.
// EXPERIENCE UC
Once again in 2018, all home games will be part of the Experience UC initiative, which is geared toward inviting the community to campus to see firsthand the great things about and surrounding the university. Experience UC includes complimentary admission for patrons attending women's basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming and diving and track and field home events.
// QUICK SHOTS
• Cincinnati continues to lead the nation in ground balls per game average with 27.31 per contest
• With 355 ground balls, UC has broken its single-season team record with four games to play
• The Bearcats also rank 13th nationally in caused turnovers, averaging 11.00 per game
• Borzillo continues to be ranked in the Top 10 of the BIG EAST in all three major scoring categories
• Durso leads the league in saves per game average (10.15) and ranks 15th nationally as well
// GROUND LEVEL
The Bearcats continue to lead the nation and the conference in ground balls per game average despite a slight dip in their average from last week. Through 13 games, the Bearcats average collecting 27.31 ground balls per game, down slightly from last week's leading total of 27.75.
// TEAM RECORD
The 355 ground balls the Bearcats have scooped up so far this season breaks the previous single-season team record of 351 collected by the 2010 squad. The 355 ground balls this year also gives Coach Gina Oliver's teams the #1 and #3 totals in program history after the Bearcats tallied 347 last year. Outside of the Top 3 totals, the previous record came in 2009 with 329 ground balls, 26 fewer than this year's total with the Bearcats still having four more games on the schedule.
// DUKES CLOSING IN
So far this year, four players have recorded at least 30 ground balls with five others tallying 20 or more. The leader of that group, however, is a freshman as Morgan Dukes has picked up 35 this year, the 10th-most in a single season at UC. Should she grab five more this year, she would become just the fifth different player in program history with 40 or more in a season.
// BORZILLO AMONG LEADERS
Monica Borzillo continues to be ranked among the Top 10 in all three major offensive categories in the BIG EAST as she sits fourth with 4.31 points per game, fifth with 1.69 assists per game and tied for 10th with 2.62 goals per game. Her points per game total also ranks her 31st nationally through last week's games.
// BORZILLO REWRITING THE BOOKS
Just a sophomore, Borzillo has risen high in the single-season Top 10 lists this year. Her 56 points (34g/22a) ranks as the second-most in a season behind the 73 she recorded last year as a rookie. She currently ranks sixth with 34 goals and third with 22 assists.
// RUSHFORD AIMING FOR MORE
McKenna Rushford, who ranks 10th in the league in both assists per game (1.15) and points per game (3.62) is also climbing up the single season ledgers. Currently, she has tallied 47 points, leaving her three away from becoming just the third Bearcats player to tally 50 or more in a season. If she does, she will join Borzillo (#1 at 73 in 2017 and #2 at 56 this year) and Laura Simanski (#3 at 52 in 2009) as the only three at 50+. Rushford currently ranks #8 on the single-season goals list (32) and #3 in free-position goals (11). Should she score two more FPGs, she will tie for the single-season record of 13 set in 2015 by Courtney Curtis.
// CLOSING IN
Through 13 games, UC has already tied for the third-best win total in program history. In the 11 years the program has competed at the varsity level, UC has won six games three times (2014, 2017, 2018) and seven games twice (2009, 2013).
// SCOUTING: FLORIDA
The sixth-ranked Gators (11-3 overall, 6-0 BIG EAST) enter the game Wednesday game with a highly potent offensive attack as UF lead the BIG EAST in both points per game (21.64) and goals per game (16.00). Lindsey Ronbeck leads the way for the Gators with 48 points on 36 goals and 12 assists while ranking third in the conference with 4.36 points per contest and fourth in goals per game average (3.27). The 21.64 points per game ranks 13th nationally while UF finds its name among the Top 20 nationally in 12 categories. Defensively, UF is 36th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 10.64 goals per game, while ranking 13th nationally with a 5.36 scoring margin. Haley Hicklen leads the defense as she is #1 in the BIG EAST in save percentage (.489) and #2 in goals against average (10.85), saves (131) and saves per game (9.36).
// SERIES HISTORY
Wednesday's game will mark the fifth time the two teams have met with Florida winning each of the previous four, including three in Gainesville. The last time the two teams played was last year at UF with the #3 Gators winning, 19-2, on April 8. The only previous time UF has played at Cincinnati came in 2016 with the second-ranked visitors scoring a 17-5 victory on April 20.
// RECAP: UC DROPS ROAD CONTEST AT UCONN
The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team dropped a 20-8 decision at UConn in BIG EAST Conference action on Friday at the Sherman Family Sports Complex. The Bearcats (6-7, 0-6 BIG EAST) have dropped six in-a-row after their recent six game winning streak. UConn evened its record at 7-7 (3-3 BIG EAST). UC trailed 4-0 before back-to-back goals by Kate Carney and Sam Mlkvy made it 4-2, but the Bearcats didn't capitalize on the momentum and trailed 9-2 before Amanda Donovan found the back of the net to make things 9-3. Monica Borzillo added her 34th goal of the year to close out the first-half scoring. Mlkvy added her second just after halftime, Gianna Napoletano added her first of two scores, Alyssa Adams scored and Napoletano added her second to close out UC's scoring. The Bearcats were even with the Huskies with 14 draw controls apiece, but UC turned it over 29 times and trailed 24-22 on ground balls.
PREVIOUSLY NOTED
// BORZILLO AMONG THE BEST
The Cincinnati USA Women's Sports Association announced its annual award winners with Monica Borzillo being named the 2018 College Sportswoman of the Year for Lacrosse, the first time a Bearcats lacrosse player has been selected for the honor. In its 25th year of celebrating high school and collegiate student-athletes and coaches from the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area, the Association will hold its annual banquet Monday, April 16, with all sports winners being up for selection as the College Sportswoman of the Year, an honor a student-athlete at UC has won four times since 2011.
// GOING TO EUROPE
This summer, the Bearcats will be going international as they will travel to both the Netherlands and Greece where they will play against some top international competition. The team is currently accepting gifts that will go toward the UC Athletics Women's Excellence Fund in support of the lacrosse program and their June trip across the pond. For more information and to give your gift, visit: http://bit.ly/CinLAXGreece.
// NEXT TIME
Cincinnati will play a pair of games this weekend, first traveling to Indianapolis Saturday for a 2 p.m. game at Butler before returning home to face first-year program ECU in a noon game at Gettler Stadium Monday.