via press release   Gainesville, Fla. – Five members of the University of Florida women’s lacrosse team were named to Inside Lacrosse Epoch Preseason All-American teams on Tuesday. Senior defenders Taylor Bresnahan and Caroline Fitzgerald were named to the First Team, while Senior attacker Sammi Burgess was named to the Second Team. Sophomore attacker Lindsey Ronbeck made the Third Team, and junior attacker Shayna Pirreca was named an Honorable Mention. Taylor Bresnahan, who set a UF single-season record with 26 caused turnovers last season, was named a Third Team All-American by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association at the conclusion of the 2016 season. For her career, Bresnahan has started 61 games and tallied 74 ground balls, 73 draw controls (seventh all-time), and 63 caused turnovers (second all-time). Caroline Fitzgerald enters the 2017 season as the reigning BIG EAST Defender of the Year, and a 2016 IWLCA Second Team All-American. Fitzgerald owns 62 starts (seventh all-time), 106 ground balls (sixth all-time), 61 caused turnovers (third all-time), and 42 draw controls. The 44 ground balls she recorded last season were the second-most in program history. Sammi Burgess heads into the 2017 season as Florida’s leading returning scorer from 2016. In 2016, Burgess was named the BIG EAST Co-Attacker of the Year, and a IWLCA First Team-All American. In her 62 game career, Burgess ranks seventh all time in goals (104), assists (41), and points (145). In 2016, Lindsey Ronbeck was named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, and became the second Gator ever to be named IL Women’s DI National Rookie of the Year. Ronbeck recorded 36 goals and 16 assists for 52 points in her freshman campaign. Shayna Pirreca was an All-BIG EAST Second Team member in 2016, and she tied for the team lead with 17 assists. Pirreca is the third-highest active scoring Gator heading into 2017, with 45 goals and 23 assists to total 68 points. 2017 Inside Lacrosse Epoch Preseason All-American Teams The Orange and Blue open the 2017 season on Saturday, February 11 against defending national champion North Carolina. Florida’s complete 2017 schedule can be found here. Follow the Gators: #FLax Twitter Instagram Facebook