Gator Lacrosse Kicks Off Their Season Saturday

The #7 Florida Gators Lacrosse team is getting ready to kick off their season against the #13 Loyola University Greyhounds this Saturday at the Donald R. Dizney Stadium at noon. The Gators will look to take advantage of Loyola early in this game as the Greyhounds may struggle to score after their four top attackers graduated accounting for 88 percent of their scoring last season. However, Loyola captured the conference championship last season in the Patriot League and will be a tough matchup for the Gators.

Gettin' ready! No. 7 #Gators host No. 13 @LoyolaWLax Saturday at noon at The Diz! #BeThere #GoGators #FLax pic.twitter.com/tbQWKawZDc

— Gators Lacrosse (@GatorsLAX) February 2, 2016

The Gators are now stepping on the field without two of their previous key players: Shannon Gilroy and Nora Barry. Both Gilroy and Barry graduated last season. Gilroy lead the Gators in goals, assist and points; second in the NCAA in goals (74) and points (98). Gilroy is currently an assistant coach for Vanderbilt lacrosse.

The Gators will face a total of six IWLCA top 20 teams through their non-conference schedule, some of these teams include No.1 Maryland, No.2 North Carolina and No. 3 Syracuse. The Gators Caroline Fitzgerald, Mollie Stevens and Taylor Bresnahan were all mentioned as Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-Americans. Last season, Florida went 15 and 6 overall and 6-1 in the Big East to win the Gator’s program fifth straight conference title.

Head coach for the Gators Amanda O’Leary says her team is working on becoming more confident in the Big East Conference.

Come out to watch the Gators kick off their season Saturday afternoon.