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The sixth seed Florida Gators lacrosse team (16-2) takes on the Mercer Bears (7-7) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Florida will host the Bears from Donald R. Dizney Stadium first draw starts at 4 p.m. on Friday. This will be the first time both teams meet in team history.
Florida Gators
Florida is coming off their seventh straight tournament championship and their eighth overall in Gators lacrosse history. The Gators are 8-9 in the NCAA tournament.
Senior midfielder Shannon Kavanagh leads the team in points (84) and goals (68). She should be the leading charge in developing the offense for the Gators, alongside senior attacker Brianna Harris who leads the team in assists (37). Kavanagh also leads the team in draw controls with 89.
Offense is bringing the H E A T into postseason 🔥
𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙍𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Goals ➡️ 3rd
Shot % ➡️ 5th
Points ➡️ 6th
Assists ➡️ 9th #FLax #GoGators pic.twitter.com/2jB5PYXSn5— Gators Lacrosse (@GatorsLAX) May 13, 2021
Senior defender Kaitlyn Dabkowski will be a dominant force on the defensive end as she leads the team in caused turnovers with 31. In addition, freshman goalie Sarah Reznick leads the team in saves with 132 this season.
Florida should have the advantage over the Bears as the Gators are favored in multiple categories.
Gators Lacrosse head coach Amanda O’Leary gave her thoughts on the matchup against Mercer:
🔜🔜🔜#FLax #GoGators pic.twitter.com/tYtia9oJWR
— Gators Lacrosse (@GatorsLAX) May 13, 2021
Mercer Bears
Mercer entered the tournament after winning their third consecutive Southern Conference title. They upset the No. 2 seed Coastal Carolina and the No. 1 seed Furman Paladins.
THE BEARS ARE HEADED TO GAINESVILLE ‼️ pic.twitter.com/90PjJau52K
— Mercer Women's Lacrosse (@MercerWLAX) May 10, 2021
The Bears are 0-2 this season against ranked opponents and have a 7-7 overall record. Erin Degnan controls the draw circle for the Bears, coming up with 41 draws this season.
On the offensive end, six Bears have scored more than 20 points. Hailey Rhatigan (44 goals, 14 assists), Lily Morin (36 goals, 4 assists), Maddi Koury (15 goals, 17 assists), Shannon Urey (20 goals, 9 assists), Eva Thorn (19 goals , 8 assists) and Chloe Schaeffer (18 goals, 9 assists).
Mercer should have a great offensive attack against a tough competitor in the Gators defense Friday afternoon. Goalie Iseabal Cryne leads the team in saves with 103. Cryne will have a challenge against a dominant Florida offense that’s great at getting the ball in the net.
They average 8.57 caused turnovers per game. Four Mercer players have recorded 10 caused turnovers this season. Hailey Rhatigan (14), Ainsley Malamala (13), Lily Morin (10) and Kileigh Casey (10).
NCAA Second Round
The winners of this matchup will face Jacksonville University or Vanderbilt on Sunday at 12 p.m.
