Florida lacrosse can’t afford to lose another game.
Its coaches and players know the Gators’ postseason chances are already hindered by the team’s four losses, so they’re taking each opponent on the remaining schedule as seriously as any other.
No. 10 Florida (7-4, 1-0 Big East) travels to Philadelphia, this weekend to face Temple (8-1) on Saturday at 1 p.m.
The Gators opened conference play on Sunday with a 19-10 victory over Vanderbilt and hope to carry that momentum with them into Philadelphia in their next Big East matchup, which is also Temple’s conference opener.
Although the Owls are 8-1 on the season, none of their opponents are currently ranked in the top-20.
Florida’s four losses, on the other hand, came at the hands of the teams ranked Nos. 1, 3, 6 and 8.
The Gators have faced their fair share of tough competition, but their remaining schedule eases up — no other Big East team is ranked in the top-20.
But that doesn’t mean each game isn’t important.
Florida still has areas to improve upon, and it doesn’t want those weaknesses to cost the team another loss.
"This week, we’re probably gonna work on playing together as a team," freshman Shayna Pirreca said.
"Playing defense as a team, our new offensive sets and just kind of meshing together and getting team chemistry."
As Pirreca mentioned, the Gators’ defense needs a bit more improvement than the offense at this point.
Florida is giving up 9.64 goals per game, on average.
That isn’t good enough to rank in the top 30 average goals against in the nation.
Florida’s offense, however, has scored 165 goals this year, the most among any team in the country.
Senior Shannon Gilroy leads the way with 39 goals, tied for the most in the country, and 13 assists.
On Tuesday, Gilroy was named the Big East Midfielder of the Week, her fourth consecutive weekly conference recognition.
The Gators’ offense has also had help from sophomore Mollie Stevens, who has 24 goals this year, as well as senior Nora Barry (16) and redshirt junior Nicole Graziano (15).
With the Big East schedule all that remains in the regular season, the Gators will need to dominate in order to solidify a place in the postseason.
And they say they’re up to the task.
"I think we’re gonna take Temple head-on," freshman Bella O’Connor said.
"We can’t be scared, and I think we just have to take the win that we just had, yeah it’s a great win, but we need to start focusing on what we have in the future."
Follow Alex Maminakis on Twitter @alexmaminakis
Freshman attacker Shayna Pirreca (7) looks to pass the ball during Florida's 17-11 loss to North Carolina on Feb. 7 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
