Special report on the Florida Gators lacrosse team:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – USA Lacrosse Magazine released its Division l Preseason All-Americans Wednesday afternoon with two Gators finding themselves on the list.
Long Island natives Emily Heller<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/emily-heller/16410> and Danielle Pavinelli<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/danielle-pavinelli/16417> each secured Honorable Mention accolades following their play in the 2023 season.
Heller is coming off a 2023 campaign where she was named IWLCA Second Team All-American, ILWomen Third Team All-American, and AAC Midfielder of the year. She set a new career high in points (43), goals (39), shot percentage (48.1%) and ground balls (40). The fifth-year senior also contributed four assists on the year.
Pavinelli finds herself on this list for the second straight year. The 2023 All-AAC First Team selection had 68 points last season, finding the back of the net 47 times and assisting on 21 goals. The senior is 10th all-time in Florida Lacrosse history with 204 points and just the 11th player in school history with 200 or more points.
This duo along with the rest of the Gators begin the 2024 campaign against the ninth ranked Loyola Greyhounds on Feb. 10 at 12 p.m. in Baltimore, Md. at Ridley Athletic Complex.
Below are the accolades for Florida’s honorees:
Emily Heller<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/emily-heller/16410>
* 2023 IWLCA Second Team All-American
* 2023 ILWomen Third Team All-American
* 2023 IWLCA All-Region First Team
* 2023 AAC Midfielder of the Year
* 2023 All-AAC First Team
* 2022 ILWomen Honorable Mention Media All-America
* 2022 IWLCA All-Region First Team
* 2022 All-AAC First Team
* Currently ranks sixth in program history with 177 draw controls, 13th in ground balls with 100, 18th in caused turnovers with 43, 19th in goals with 89 and 21st in points with 106
Danielle Pavinelli<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/danielle-pavinelli/16417>
* 2023 All-AAC First Team
* 2023 All-AAC Tournament Team
* 2022 IWLCA Second Team All-American
* 2022 ILWomen Third Team Media All-American
* 2022 IWLCA All-Region First Team
* 2022 All-AAC First Team
* 2022 AAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player
* 2021 AAC Freshman of the Year
* 2021 All-AAC Second Team
* Recorded streaks of 42-straight games with a point (tied for fourth-longest) and 40-straight games with a goal (tied for second-longest)
* Currently ranks 10th in program history with 204 points and 150 goals, sits 14th in assists with 54 and 22nd in caused turnovers with 37