Florida Gators lacrosse earns a national seed on Sunday

Special report on the Florida Gators lacrosse team:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Just over 24 hours after winning the 2018 BIG EAST Tournament, the Florida women’s lacrosse team received the sixth overall seed in the 26-team NCAA Tournament.

The Gators have earned a first round bye, as well as First & Second Round hosting rights at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Florida will play host to Colorado and Jacksonville this weekend in Gainesville, with the Dolphins and the Buffs squaring off at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 11. The winner advances to play the BIG EAST Champion Gators on Sunday, May 13 at 12 p.m.

Ticket Information

Gator Ticket Office | (352) 375-4683 or 800-344-2867

Adults: $5

Students & Children: $3

Students with a Gator1 ID: FREE

UF enters the NCAA Tournament on a nine game win streak, including going undefeated in conference play. Florida faced both Colorado and Jacksonville earlier in the 2018 season, earning a 2-0 record against field. The Gators enter the 2018 NCAA Tournament with a 6-7 record all-time in NCAA Tournament play.

The Gators faced Colorado in the season opener, defeating the Buffs 16-9 in Gainesville, Fla.

The Buffs earned an at-large bid to the tournament after falling in the Pac-12 Championship to Stanford. Colorado finished 13-5 overall and 9-1 in conference play.

Florida and Colorado have met only once in program history, with that meeting coming as a win for Florida earlier this season.

Florida faced Jacksonville on Feb. 28, defeating the Dolphins 16-5 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

The Dolphins earned an automatic bid to the tournament after winning the ASUN conference earlier in May. They defeated Coastal Carolina, 25-19.

Jacksonville finished 16-3 overall and 5-0 in conference play. Florida and Jacksonville have met eight times in program history, with Florida leading the series 8-0. The Gators are 4-0 both at home and on the road.

The Gators swept both the BIG EAST regular season and tournament titles in 2018, and boast the BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player Lindsey Ronbeck. Florida also took home Midfielder of the Year (Sydney Pirreca), Goalkeeper of the Year (Haley Hicklen) and Freshman the Year (Shannon Kavanagh). UF had seven players named All-Conference and has two Tewaaraton Award Top-25 Nominees.

Records

Florida (14-3)

Jacksonville (16-3)

Colorado (13-5)

Numbers of Note

* 19: The Gators’ school record for wins in a season. UF is three wins away from tying that record in 2018

* 8: Conference championships for Florida in nine seasons (2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014 in the ALC, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 in the BIG EAST)

* 6: Florida now has six consecutive tournament championship in program history (2012 & 2014 in the ALC, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 in the BIG EAST)

* 6: Number of conference Coaching Staff of the Year awards that Florida has received under the direction of Amanda O’Leary (2011, 2012 & 2014 in the ALC, 2016, 2017 & 2018 in the BIG EAST)

* 4: NCAA Quarterfinals berths for the Gators since the program, started in 2010 (2011, 2012, 2013, & 2014)

1. 1: Final Four berth for the Orange and Blue in 2012

The Top-Eight Seeds

1. Maryland

2. North Carolina

3. James Madison

4. Boston College

5. Stony Brook

6. Florida

7. Towson

8. Loyola Maryland

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.