University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Head to Sunshine State, Clash With Florida
3/30/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Live Stats | BEDN
STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut women's lacrosse team (5-5) looks to bounce back from its most recent loss when they visit No. 8/8 Florida on Saturday afternoon. Draw is set for noon at the Gators' Donald R. Dizney Stadium and will be broadcast on the BIG EAST Digital Network.
A Win Would...
With a win on Saturday, UConn would climb back above the .500 mark and hand Florida its first conference loss of the spring. A win against the Gators would snap the program's 24-game conference win streak.
The Series
Saturday's contest will be the fifth meeting between the Huskies and the Gators as Florida hold a 3-1 advantage in the all-time series. Connecticut is the only team to defeat Florida in conference play since the Gators joined the BIG EAST conference in 2015. UConn standout Grace Nolan tallied three points (2g, 1a) in the victory.
Last Time Out
The Huskies suffered their first BIG EAST lost last weekend after a strong second half propelled No. 23/RV to a 13-5 victory. The Huskies were held to a season-low five goals with senior Grace Nolan and junior Caitlin Leary each scoring twice. Freshman Sydney Watson (Prince Frederick, Md.) had UConn's other tally. Sophomore goaltender Grace Beshlian (Wantagh, N.Y.) made 12 saves in the loss.
Leading the Pack
Grace Nolan is pacing the Huskies in points (59), goals (36) and assists (23). The Marcellus, N.Y. native is boasting a league best 5.90 points per game while her 2.30 assists per game rank second. She also breaks into the top three in goals per game, notching 3.60. Classmate Cassie Ekstrom, the backbone of the Huskies' defense sits third in the BIG EAST in caused turnovers per game (2.00).
Goalkeeper Grace Beshlian (5-4) owns the majority of time in the net, boasting a 12.46 goals against average, a .402 save percentage and 78 saves.
Quick on the Draw
Senior Kelsey Catalano set a new program record in draw controls when she won 11 against Fairfield on Feb. 14.
Leaving Her Tracks
During her time in Storrs, senior Grace Nolan has established herself as one of the most prolific scorers in program history. With a four-point performance (2g, 2a) against No. 24 Massachusetts on March 3, Nolan moved into second place all-time in career points and (218) assists (83).
Last season Nolan notched 77 points which ranks second in the UConn record book for points in a single season, while her 33 helpers marked the second highest in program history.
100 and Counting...
Head Coach Katie Woods reached a career milestone on Feb. 14 as she eclipsed the 100-win plateau with a 13-12 win against Fairfield. Woods, who has coached at UConn for eight years, set the program record for most wins by a head coach last season with 73. Woods captured 74 of her 100 wins as the leader of the Huskies and accumulated her first career 26 wins during her time at American (2007-2010).
Notables
Grace Nolan was tabbed to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (2/19) after totaling nine points off six goals and three assists in a 1-1 week for the Huskies. Freshman Sydney Watson garnered BIG EAST Freshman of the Week accolades after a five-point (4g, 1a) performance against No. 7 Syracuse on Feb. 9.
