LAKE BUENA VISTA – The Florida lacrosse team began its 2010 season with a 17-8 exhibition loss to the U.S. National Developmental team Saturday at the Disney Wide World of Sports.
After Team USA opened the scoring in the first minute of action, Brittany Dashiell evened the score for Florida with an assist from Sam Farrell. Less than a minute later, Dashiell fed Colby Rhea and Florida had a 2-1 lead.
But Team USA scored the next four goals before Rhea and Ashley Bruns cut the lead to 6-4. With 24 seconds remaining in the first half, Farrell appeared to have scored but Florida was whistled for a penalty. Team USA then scored just before half for a 7-4 lead.
Team USA came out in the second half and scored five unanswered goals for a 12-4 lead and Florida could not recover. Janine Hillier, Kitty Cullen, Bruns and Caroline Chesterman scored for Florida in the second half.
Coach Amanda O’Leary’s Gators return to action Feb. 14 when they visit Princeton (N.J.) University in their final exhibition. Florida opens the regular season Feb. 20 against Jacksonville at 6 p.m. Sun Sports will televise that first official Florida lacrosse game live.