via UF press release/website, by Katie Callahan

Florida will host Jacksonville, Mercer and Notre Dame in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament

Full NCAA Bracket

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Just over 24 hours after winning the 2023 American Athletic Conference Tournament, the Florida women’s lacrosse team received the sixth overall seed and earned hosting rights for the First and Second rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

The Gators extend their streak to 12-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, dating back to 2011.

No. 6 seed Florida will face Jacksonville at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 12 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium, followed by a matchup between Notre Dame and Mercer at 7 p.m. The winners of each game will face off on Sunday, with the opening draw to be determined.  

Ticket Information
All-Session Package

• General Admission

• Adults:  $8
• Student/Youth: $5

Single Session Tickets (Friday, or Sunday only)

• General Admission

• Adults: $5
• Student/Youth: $3

UF enters the NCAA Tournament riding an 11-game win streak, going undefeated since a March 22 win over Mercer (15-6). The Gators are 2-0 against the Gainesville field this season and have gone 6-3 against the overall tournament field in the 2023 campaign.

The Gators have not faced the Fighting Irish this season, but Florida topped Mercer 15-6 on March 22 and followed with a 16-11 victory over Jacksonville on April 26.

Florida enters the 2023 NCAA Tournament with a 12-11 record all-time in postseason competition.

The Gators finished the AAC regular season with a 5-1 record, but clinched their 10th conference tournament championship on Saturday, having defeated No. 6 James Madison 9-8 for the crown. Florida took home two major awards as Emily Heller was named Midfielder of the Year and Sarah Reznick was tabbed as Goalkeeper of the Year for the third-straight season. The Gators also took home nine All-AAC honors, including a league-high five First Team honorees.

Records
Florida (16-3, 5-1 AAC)
Jacksonville (12-7, 6-1 ASUN)
Mercer (17-2, 9-0 Big South)
Notre Dame (13-5, 6-3 ACC)

Scouting the Gainesville Field
Jacksonville | 12-7 overall, 6-1 ASUN

• The Dolphins earned the ASUN’s automatic qualifier after defeating both Coastal Carolina and Liberty in the tournament
• Florida is 1-0 against Jacksonville this season
• The Gators lead the all-time series 13-1
• Home: 7-0 | Away: 6-1 | Neutral: 0-0
• Last Meeting: April 26, 2023 | Jacksonville, Fla. | W, 16-11 
• Notable: This will be the ninth trip to the NCAA Tournament for the Dolphins, with JU sitting at a 3-8 record in tournament play
• Notable: The Dolphins had two members named to the ASUN All-Conference First Team, three to the All-Conference Second Team and two to the ASUN All-Freshman Team  

Mercer | 17-2 overall, 9-0 Big South

• The Bears earned the Big South’s automatic bid after topping Campbell 11-10 early Sunday afternoon 
• Florida and Mercer have faced off four times in program history, with the Gators holding the 4-0 series advantage. The two squads competed against one another earlier this season, with Florida winning 15-6 in Macon, Ga.
• Florida and Mercer have faced off twice in the NCAA Tournament, with the Gators winning both matchups, outscoring the Bears 42-17
• Notable: This is the fifth-straight season the Bears have won the conference championship, leading to its previous four NCAA appearances. Mercer is 0-4 in NCAA Tournament history
• Notable: Mercer won three major Big South awards – Emma Pizzo (Co-Defensive Player), Shannon Urey (Offensive Player of the Year), Samantha Eustace (Coach of the Year)

Notre Dame | 13-5 overall, 6-3 ACC

• The Fighting Irish earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after going 6-3 in the ACC this season
• If the two teams meet, it would be the first meeting between the Gators and the Fighting Irish
• Notable: Notre Dame had three All-ACC First Team honorees, three All-ACC Second Team selections and one player named to the ACC All-Freshman Team

Numbers of Note:

• 572: The number of saves Sarah Reznick sits at going into the NCAA Tournament as she broke the program record against No. 6 James Madison on May 6
• 179: The Gators are 179-2 when scoring at least 14 goals
• 147: Florida is 148-5 (.967) when facing teams not ranked in the IWLCA poll
• 114: UF is 125-22 (.850) in the confines of Donald R. Dizney Stadium
• 19: The Gators’ school record for wins in a season. UF is three wins away from tying that record in 2022
• 11: Regular season conference championships for Florida in 12 seasons (2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014 in the ALC; 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 in the BIG EAST; 2019, 2021 & 2022 in the AAC)
• 10: Conference tournament championships for the Gators – including eight-straight: (2012 & 2014 in the ALC; 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 in the BIG EAST; 2019, 2021, 2022 & 2023 in the AAC)
• 7: NCAA Quarterfinals berths for the Gators since the program started in 2010 (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2021 & 2022)
• 5: The number of Gators that have hit the 100-career point milestone during the 2023 campaign
• 2: Tewaaraton Top-25 Nominee – Emma LoPinto & Sarah Reznick  
• 1: Final Four berth for the Orange & Blue in 2012 

Top Eight Seeds:

1. Northwestern  
2. Syracuse   
3. Boston College
4. North Carolina  
5. Denver
6. Florida
7. James Madison
8. Loyola

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