The No. 5 Florida lacrosse team hits the field for the first time in 2012 Thursday evening to host the England National Team in an exhibition game at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Opening draw is set for 6:30 p.m.
Florida finished the 2011 season with a 16-4 overall record, including going a perfect 5-0 in American Lacrosse Conference play to take the conference title away from Northwestern for the first time since 2004. Florida became the fastest program in poll history to enter the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) top 10, and on April 25, 2011, became the highest-ranked second-year program ever, earning the No. 2 spot.
After reaching their first ALC Championship game, (L, 10-9 to Northwestern), the Gators earned their first-ever NCAA Tournament bid, receiving the fourth overall seed. On May 14, UF hosted No. 7 Stanford in the first NCAA lacrosse tournament game ever to be held in the state of Florida, and picked up their first NCAA victory, 13-11. The Gators’ impressive season finally came to an end the following week, as they fell, 13-9, to No. 5 Duke in the Quarterfinals. Florida finished the year ranked No. 5 in the IWLCA final poll.
The Gators return 17 players from their record-breaking 2011 season, including 11 starters, while bringing in the No. 3 recruiting class in the nation, according to Inside Lacrosse magazine. Four new Gators were named to IL’s top-25 list; No. 6 Shannon Gilroy (Huntington, N.Y.), No. 12 Nicole Graziano (Mendham, N.J.), No. 15 Nora Barry (Marcellus, N.Y.) and No. 18 Sally Jentis (Ridgewood, N.J.); all of whom are expected to see significant playing time in 2012. Additionally, Taylor McCord (Jacksonville, Fla.) was named to the Freshman Watch List. The Gators also welcome freshmen Mikki Offit (Bethesda, Md.) and Maegan Meritz (Farmingdale, N.Y.), along with junior attacker Gabi Wiegand (Bay Shore, N.Y.), a transfer from the University of Richmond.
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