Special report on the Florida Gators lacrosse team:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida women’s lacrosse team has added seven newcomers for the 2022 season.
Brie Catts, Elyse Finnelle, Celeste Forte, Josie Hahn, Emma LoPinto, Alexa Waters and Macy Zaban have all signed their National Letters of Intent and will join the Gators for the 2021-22 academic year.
This class continues an impressive run of recruiting under Amanda O’Leary, as the Gators secured NLIs from two ILWomen On the Rise recruits.
“Our staff is very excited to welcome these seven young women into the Florida lacrosse family,” said head coach Amanda O’Leary. “The class as a whole brings a wide range of skills, but more than that, they are wonderful people off the field. We know they will help to uphold the standard for Florida lacrosse both in their skills and in their character.”
Meet the Gators:
Brie Catts – Midfield – Milton, Ga.
Quick Facts
* Two-time Georgia State Champion (2018, 2019)
* Two-time All-State selection (2018, 2019)
* Two-time Hustle Award winner (2018, 2019)
* Four-time Under Armour Underclass All-American (2017-2020)
* Inside Lacrosse All-Tournament Team (2019)
* Two-time Nike Elite 120 selection (2017, 2018)
* Two-time Under Armour 150 selection (2017 All-Star, 2018)
* US Lacrosse National Tournament Team (Georgia – 2018)
* Four-year varsity starter
* Played club for Eagle Stix
Elyse Finnelle – Goalkeeper – Deale, Md.
Quick Facts
* Second Team All-County selection (2019)
* Finalist for the Heather Leigh Albert Award, the award given to the most outstanding schoolgirl lacrosse player in the nation in spirit as well as athletic ability (2019)
* Under Armour All-American Baltimore Region (2018-20)
* Under Armour All-American Baltimore Champion (2019-2020)
* National School girls, Maryland Metro (2018-19)
* Inside Lacrosse Top-40 Young Gun Junior Watch List
* US Women’s National Tournament
* Participant at the US National U17 Combine
* Member of the National Honor Society (2019-Pres.)
* Member of the Honor Roll (2017-Pres.)
* Four sport varsity athlete
* Played club for M&D
Celeste Forte – Defense – Manorville, N.Y.
Quick Facts
* Three-time County Champion
* One-time Long Island Champion
* One-time State Champion
* All-Division Award
* Newsday Top-100 selection
* LILJ G.O.A.T Team
* Three-time Under Armour All-American
* One-time Under Armour Champion
* 2018 US Lacrosse Schoolgirls Champion
* USA U17 Development Team
* Two-time National Champion with Yellow Jackets Club
* Played club for the Yellow Jacket
Josie Hahn – Midfield – Catonsville, Md.
Quick Facts
* Member of the Max Exposure All-Star Team
* Four-year varsity starter
* Played club for Hero’s
Emma LoPinto – Attack – Manhasset, N.Y.
Quick Facts
* Earned All-American honors in her sophomore campaign
* Two-time County Champions
* Two-time All-County selection (Honorable Mention – freshman season)
* Helped her team to a State Championship and Long Island Championship in her freshman year
* Three-time Under-Armour All-American
* Member of the USA U-15 Development Team
* Also competed in basketball at Manhasset High School
* Was named Conference Player of the Year in her junior year
* Became a member of the 1,000 point club and aided her team to two conference championships
* Two-time All-County selection
* Has also earned All-Conference and All-Tournament team honors during her basketball career
* Played club for Long Island Liberty Lacrosse
Alexa Waters – Defense – Smithtown, N.Y.
Quick Facts
* 2020 Newsday Long Island Top 100 selection
* 2019 Suffolk All-County honoree
* 2019 Most All-Around Player
* 2018 Suffolk County All-League selection
* 2018 Elite 80 Top Performer
* 2018 Under Armour Long Island Command Team
* 2017 Suffolk County All-Rookie honoree
* 2017 U15 Lacrosse Nationals All-Tournament Team
* Played club for Long Island Top Guns 2021 Black
Macy Zaban – Midfield – Northfield, Ill.
Quick Facts
* New Trier Varsity Lacrosse State Champions (2019)
* Played club for Team One Lacrosse Club