Special report on the Florida Gators lacrosse team:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Just over 24 hours after winning the 2019 American Athletic Conference Tournament<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_news_2019_5_4_lacrosse-2Dgators-2Dclaim-2Dsixth-2Dstraight-2Dconference-2Dtournament-2Dchampionship.aspx&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=URKOuvFogSar3bOELlWhH1pY_OFB9zN-b6kld38Yzao&s=Zbf0KJtem6BTDPudr6_SL8i5s1HncB7nzGJ3eVZXGLk&e=>, the Florida women’s lacrosse team learned it will head to No. 3 seed North Carolina for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
The Gators have now made the NCAA Tournament for nine-straight seasons, dating back to 2011.
Florida will face Johns Hopkins in the first round on Friday, May 10 at a time to be determined. If the Gators advance to the second round, they will face host and No. 3 seed North Carolina on Sunday, May 12.
UF enters the NCAA Tournament on a 10-game win streak, including going undefeated in conference play. The Gators enter the 2019 NCAA Tournament with an 8-8 record all-time in NCAA Tournament play.
Florida has not faced Johns Hopkins this season, but the Gators took on North Carolina back in March, battling to an 11-9 loss against the Tar Heels.
Johns Hopkins made the NCAA Tournament with an at-large bid after finishing the season with a 10-7 overall record and a 2-4 record in the Big Ten.
The Gators hold a 5-1 record over the Blue Jays, including a 2-0 record at neutral site locations. The last time these two teams faced off was the 2014 season, where Florida won 11-6 in Evanston, Ill.
North Carolina earned their spot in the NCAA Tournament after winning the ACC Tournament Championship against Boston College, 15-13.The Tar Heels enter the tournament with a 15-3 overall record.
Florida is 3-7 all-time against the Tar Heels, including a 3-4 record in Chapel Hill, N.C.
The Gators swept both the American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles in 2019. The team also boasts four major AAC award winners in Lindsey Ronbeck (Attacker of the Year), Shannon Kavanagh (Midfielder of the Year), Cara Trombetta (Defender of the Year) and Haley Hicklen (Goalkeeper of the Year). Those four, along with Sabrina Cristodero, Grace Haus and Sydney Pirreca were named First Team All-Conference.
Records
Florida (13-6)
Johns Hopkins (10-7)
No. 3 seed North Carolina (15-3)
Numbers of Note
– 9: Regular season conference championships for Florida in 10 seasons (2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014 in the ALC; 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 in the BIG EAST; 2019 in the AAC)
– 8: The Gators played eight ranked opponents in their nonconference slate – all eight of which are in the NCAA Tournament field this season
– 7: Florida has now won seven conference tournament championships, including six in a row (2012 & 2014 in the ALC; 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 in the BIG EAST; 2019 in the AAC)
– 5: NCAA Quarterfinals berths for the Gators since the program started in 2010 (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2018)
– 1: Final Four berth for the Orange & Blue in 2012
Top Eight Seeds
1. Maryland
2. Boston College
3. North Carolina
4. Northwestern
5. Syracuse
6. Virginia
7. Princeton
8. Michigan