The Gators’ lineup did not look like it would have room for newcomers.
Florida returned 11 of 12 starters from a team that made it to the quarterfinals in the NCAA Tournament in 2011, but the Gators’ freshmen have found a way to earn minutes on a team with several accomplished upperclassmen.
Midfielders Nicole Graziano, Nora Barry, Shannon Gilroy and defender Sally Jentis are all expected to see significant playing time in Florida’s regular-season opener Saturday in Chapel Hill, N.C., against North Carolina.
“Our freshmen, from the moment they stepped on campus, made a name for themselves,” Gators coach Amanda O’Leary said. “Having them through the fall, watching them mature, watching them learn, and they just fit in flawlessly with our team.”
As the nation’s third-best recruiting, class according to Inside Lacrosse magazine, the freshmen were aware they were committing to a young program returning all of its key pieces. However, O’Leary assured them the best players would play if they earned it in practice, regardless of class.
“We’re going to play the best players,” O’Leary said. “If they are all freshmen, then they are all freshmen. If they are all seniors, they’re all seniors. It’s going to be the 12 people who give us the best opportunities to win lacrosse games.”
The freshmen made the most of their first opportunity in UF’s 17-2 win exhibition win against England on Jan. 26, as Graziano scored four goals while Barry added two.
Graziano credits her upperclassman teammates for help adjusting to the speed of the college game and making a seamless transition into the Gators’ lineup.
“There is not one person who hasn’t helped me,” Graziano said. “Either off the field pulled me aside to teach me the plays again or on the field.”
While the December transfer of junior midfielder Janine Hillier opened up a spot in the midfield, Florida returned its entire defense from 2011. That has not prevented Jentis, who started against England, from earning her fair share of playing time.
“[Jentis is] really quick,” O’Leary said. “She can cover a large amount of space in a short amount of time. She has great instincts, so she can intercept a lot of balls.”
O’Leary said Jentis will also see time in the midfield.
Junior attacker Kitty Cullen, who scored 77 goals in 2011 as part of an already potent attack, said the firepower the freshman class provides will make the Gators’ offense impossible to contain.
“They’re going to have to try, but they’re definitely not going to be able to because each and every single person out there can take it to goal and score.”
Florida freshman midfielder Nicole Graziano scored four goals in an exhibition win against England on Jan. 26, and coach Amanda O’Leary said she will play Saturday against UNC.
