2016 Gator Lacrosse Preview

The 2016 Florida Gator lacrosse teams brings in a plethora of experience this season as it boasts 10 seniors and eight juniors. They will be looking to win their sixth consecutive Big East regular season title and third straight tournament championship. After a second round loss for the second straight year in the NCAA Tournament, the Gators are out to prove they belong with the best of the best.

Here is my projected starting lineup for the 2016 squad:

• Attackman: Devon Schneider
• Attackman: Sammi Burgess
• Attackman: Lauren Lea
• Defenseman: Sydney DuPre
• Defenseman: Taylor Bresnahan
• Defenseman: Caroline Fitzgerald
• Midfielder: Mollie Stevens
• Midfielder: Nicole Graziano
• Midfielder: Carli Marsh
• Goalkeeper: Mary-Sean Wilcox

Here are the projected starters' key stats from last season:

1. Devon Schneider- 31 goals, 7 assists, and 38 total points in 21 games played.

2. Sammi Burgess- 25 goals, 13 assists, 21 ground balls fielded, and 38 total points in 21 games played.

3. Lauren Lea- 21 goals, 14 assists, 23 ground balls fielded, and 35 points in 21 games played.

4. Sydney DuPre- 1 goal, 10 ground balls fielded, and 10 caused turnovers in 19 games played.

5. Taylor Bresnahan- 1 goal, 23 ground balls fielded, 20 draw controls, and 15 caused turnovers in 20 games played.

6. Caroline Fitzgerald- 2 goals, 1 assist, 32 ground balls fielded, 12 draw controls, and 21 caused turnovers in 21 games played.

7. Mollie Stevens- 43 goals, 9 assists, 52 total points, 22 ground balls fielded, 79 draw controls, and 22 caused turnovers in 21 games played.

8. Nicole Graziano- 26 goals, 14 assists, 40 total points, 21 ground balls fielded, 40 draw controls, and 18 caused turnovers in 21 games played.

9. Carli Marsh- 10 goals, 2 assists, 12 total points, and 13 ground balls fielded in 20 games played.

10. Mary-Sean Wilcox- 106 saves in 21 games played.

Bench

Here's a quick look at some other Gators who should see substantial playing time during the 2016 campaign:

• Attacker: Carly Ross
• Attacker: Shayna Pirreca
• Defenseman: Aniya Flanagan
• Midfielder: Sam Darcangelo
• Defenseman: Angela Flister

Here are their key stats from 2015:

1. Carly Ross- 14 goals, 11 assists, 25 total points, and 20 ground balls fielded in 20 games played.

2. Shayna Pirreca- 14 goals, 6 assists, and 20 total points in 20 games played.

3. Aniya Flanagan- 12 ground balls fielded and 7 caused turnovers in 21 games played.

4. Sam Darcangelo- 2 goals, 1 assist, 26 ground balls fielded, 13 draw controls, and 15 caused turnovers in 21 games played.

5. Angela Flister- 1 goal and 11 ground balls fielded in 19 games played.

2016 Schedule

Here is the Florida Gators' schedule for this upcoming season!

January

9th: @U.S. National Team

February

6th: Loyola

13th: Michigan

18th: Wales National Team

20th: @North Carolina

27th: Dartmouth

March

1st: @Syracuse

4th: Niagara

6th: @Stony Brook

11th: Boston College

14th: Towson

19th: Maryland

26th: Vanderbilt*

April

2nd: Temple*

9th: @Georgetown*

13th: Marquette*

16th: @Villanova*

20th: @Cincinnati*

24th: Connecticut*

*Denotes SEC game
Home games in bold

Final Takeaway:
The Florida Gator lacrosse team is hungry for the first National Championship in school history. They have the experience, the playmakers, and brilliant head coach Amanda O'Leary. All they have to do now is just go out there and execute. If this team plays to its full potential, the Orange and Blue will be hoisting up the hardware come May.

*All stats accredited to FloridaGators.com