A year ago, Taylor McCord trotted onto the field at Dizney Stadium in Florida’s home opener against Jacksonville. After transferring to JU following her freshman season at UF, McCord will face the school that first gave her an opportunity.
The No. 3 Gators (1-0) will travel to Jacksonville to take on the Dolphins (1-1) tonight at 7. in the fourth meeting in as many years between the two teams.
Jacksonville is known for its high-powered offense, which finished first in the nation last year with 18.2 goals per game. However, those numbers have not translated into wins against Florida.
In three matches against the Gators, the Dolphins managed only 20 goals. UF has scored 48 in that span.
Jacksonville is coming off an impressive 15-7 win against Vanderbilt during which the Dolphins scored 11 straight goals.
“This is a very, very good team, and one that’s not to be taken lightly,” Florida coach Amanda O’Leary said. “For us, I think it’s being able to stay composed, stick to the game plan. They have some great offensive players that are quick and fast.”
McCord shined against the Commodores, scoring two goals and tallying two assists. O’Leary said UF needs to keep tabs on McCord because her lefty presence will prove challenging for the Gators’ defense.
“Taylor was a great player, and she is going to continue to develop and become an even better player,” O’Leary said. “We are going to have to focus on her for sure.”
Nora Barry and Shannon Gilroy were McCord’s roommates. All three enrolled at Florida as part of the 2011 recruiting class.
Barry and Gilroy said seeing Taylor in an opposing jersey this year will be a difficult adjustment.
“It will be a little strange playing against her, a little sad,” Barry said. “But I’m really glad that she is happy with her decision to go play at Jacksonville.”
Gilroy added: “Personally, I’m very excited because Taylor was one of my best friends. I’m so happy she was able to transfer there because she is so much happier and she has a really big impact on that team.”
Two other familiar faces Barry and Gilroy will recognize are Jacksonville coach Mindy McCord and assistant coach Paul McCord, better known by the UF sophomores as Taylor’s parents.
“I’m really excited to see her and her parents, because we were really close,” Barry said.
The thought of competing against her former teammate on a draw or a groundball made Gilroy laugh.
“It would be comical to face off against her, because we are so close,” Gilroy said.
Lacrosse coach Amanda O’Leary walks off the field with junior Haydon Judge during halftime of a game against Dartmouth on March 20. O’Leary and the Gators beat Stony Brook 16-9 on Wednesday afternoon.
