US Lacrosse Magazine released the Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Women’s Preseason Top 20 on Jan. 8. Team-by-team previews will be unveiled on uslaxmagazine.com throughout January and will also appear as part of the magazine’s NCAA preview edition that mails to US Lacrosse members Feb. 1 — opening day of the 2018 college lacrosse season.

No. 6 Florida

2017 Record: 17-3 (9-0 Big East)
Coach: Amanda O'Leary (9th year)

All-Time Record: 293-97
NCAA Appearances: 7
Final Fours: 1
Championships: 0

Florida coach Amanda O’Leary has heard the drumbeat.

For the past two years, the Gators were seeded in the NCAA tournament — No. 2 in 2016 and No. 3 in 2017 — only to squander first-round byes with second-round losses. Many fans pondered what happened to a powerful team that topped the charts all season both seasons.

But with just five losses over the past two years, O’Leary is done talking about it.

“We lost to Penn State and USC,” O’Leary said. “I hear about it a lot. ‘You were ranked and didn’t win.’ It would be different if we lost to a team that I know wasn’t as good as us. They were obviously better that day, but they were very good teams. It’s not, ‘The monkey is on our back because we lost the last two years.’ We don’t go into it with that mindset.”

Florida was hit hard by graduation, losing All-Americans Sammi Burgess and Mollie Stevens on offense and Caroline Fitzgerald and Taylor Bresnahan on defense. The Gators welcome several highly touted freshmen into the fold, including four Under Armour All-Americans in attacker Grace Haus, midfielder Shannon Kavanagh, midfielder Eddy Shoop and defender Annie Wright.

The offense remains strong with Shayna and Sydney Pirreca and Lindsey Ronbeck returning, but they need to mesh with new faces.

The defense returns just two starters in sophomore Cara Trombetta and senior Aniya Flanagan, and O’Leary left open the possibility of a goalie competition between junior Haley Hicklen, last year’s starter, and senior Olivia Cole.

The Case For Florida

Experience as a top-five team and repeated success in its conference provide the Gators with confidence. A majority of its No. 2 offense is back, which led to being No. 3 in points per game and No. 2 in shots per game. Speed combined with accuracy are lethal weapons for Florida. The young talent from last year, including junior attacker Lindsey Ronbeck and midfielder Shayna Pirreca, rise as leaders. Seniors Shayna Pirreca, Allie Pavinelli and Aniya Flanagan will guide the attack, midfield and defense, respectively, while two upperclassmen Haley Hicklen and Olivia Cole offer hope for the goalie position.  

The Case Against Florida

For two straight seasons, the Gators dropped unexpectedly in the NCAA tournament after being seeded. Florida graduated several key players, including attackers Sammi Burgess and Mollie Stevens and defenders Taylor Bresnahan and Caroline Fitzgerald. All were named All-Americans at least once during their collegiate careers. Losing an eight-member senior class left several holes on the field. Several freshmen will step in, but with the lack of experience, coach O’Leary’s biggest concern is whether those holes will be filled. “I feel like there are so many question marks versus this is where I really feel comfortable,” O’Leary said.

Path to the Playoffs

The 2018 season is the Gators’ final year in the Big East, which they dominated as champions for the past three seasons. It is highly likely Florida will earn another automatic bid to the NCAA tournament through its conference, but its eight-game non-conference slate will provide insight into potential seeding and placement. A season-opener against Colorado will set the tone for the year, followed by a tough second game against the reigning national champion Maryland. ACC leaders North Carolina and Syracuse, plus surprise final four contender Navy, would be key wins to boost their resume.

Players To Watch

Sydney Pirreca, M, Jr.
52 PTs, 41 DC

The younger Pirreca sister is a key two-way midfielder for the Gators. She can score, assist, snag ground balls and control the draw. Her strength and speed is unparalleled alongside her sister, Shayna, a senior attacker. With holes in the midfield, Sydney’s play will be essential.

Lindsey Ronbeck, A, Jr.
53 G, 20 A

Ronbeck finished second in goals behind Mollie Stevens and second in assists behind Sammi Burgess. Without Stevens and Burgess in 2018, the junior will assume a larger role on offense to help fill the void. Her speed and scrappiness with 35 ground balls will also be an asset.

Cara Trombetta, D, So.
40 GB, 27 CT

With a big question mark surrounding the defense, Trombetta, who started all 20 games last year, will need to rise like an upperclassman despite being a sophomore. She gained valuable experience alongside All-American defenders Caroline Fitzgerald and Taylor Bresnahan. Trombetta led the Gators in caused turnovers as an aggressive go-getter.

National Rankings

Power Ratings (Scale of 1-5)

Offense
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Defense
⭐⭐

Goalkeeping
⭐⭐⭐

Draw
⭐⭐

8

Freshmen making their debut in the Swamp in 2018, including a Top 20-ranked midfielder in Shannon Kavanagh (Smithtown West, N.Y.). Kassidy Bresnahan and Grace Haus could replace Burgess and Stevens on offense. “I don’t want to say we’re young because we do have a core group of upperclassmen, but when you look at our minutes played, a lot of that will be by freshmen,” O’Leary said.

5-Year Trend
Scoring Offense

Coach Confidential
Amanda O'Leary

“The commitment needs to be from every single player [and] staff member. … We’ll work hard, coach hard and let the chips fall where they will. …. We’re going to keep looking out the windshield and not in the rear view mirror.”

Enemy Lines
Rival Coaches

"A lot of weapons and a lot of speed. Most athletic team in the country, but young. ... Lost their two top scorers, but return Ronbeck and the Pirreca sisters. ... Pure speed. Hard to outscore them. ... They’re always right there, they just can’t get over the hump. ... They take a ton of shots and they always go to goal hard. You can’t take a breath trying to stop them. ... They have a lot people that we’d all like to have, but they haven’t gotten over the hump. There’s something missing there."