At Florida lacrosse practice on Tuesday, a small group of players were out warming up 30 minutes before practice was actually supposed to begin. It wasn’t a typical, light warm up, either.
Players were going hard, leaving them out of breath as they worked their way back into the locker room to cool down before practice really started.
Among the group was freshmen attackers Shayna Pirreca and Bella O’Connor – an offensive duo that has quickly made a positive impact for the Gators since arriving on campus.
The pair of attackers has strengthened Florida’s offense and provided an integral spark off the bench. Pirreca has started two games this season and has played in all 11. She and defender Aniya Flanagan are the only freshmen to have started games this year.
Whether it be in the starting rotation or as substitutes, Pirreca and O’Connor have certainly given the Gators’ offense a lift. Pirreca has scored 11 goals so far this season, including a four-goal game against San Diego State.
O’Connor has contributed four goals this year in six appearances, including a hat trick against Michigan.
In a Florida offense that already features veteran players such as Shannon Gilroy, Nora Barry and Nicole Graziano, the immediate impact the freshmen have made has been fully embraced by the team.
"It’s been going pretty well, I mean there are some challenges that you have to deal with coming to a new team," Pirreca said of her first year. "Getting used to the style of play and especially just the faster pace of the game is definitely a big adjustment."
But Pirreca has made the transition to college look seamless, as has O’Connor. O’Connor said she credits her high school coach, Meredith Frank, who played at Northwestern, for preparing her for the quickness and intensity of the college game.
Both players also said they have enjoyed learning new things from coaches and older players since joining the team, something that has helped them adjust to the program and feel more comfortable.
"I used to be a crease player in high school and now I play up top, which is completely different," O’Connor said, "but it just shows me I have another side to me that I never knew."
That’s what college is all about, for any student — whether it’s in the classroom or on the field. Learning about yourself, testing your limits.
"I’m always just striving to be better, and I always expect the most out of myself," Pirreca said. "No matter what, I’m never gonna be satisfied with how I’m doing, but as a team…I’m pretty happy with where we are right now in the season."
Follow Alex Maminakis on Twitter @alexmaminakis
Freshman attacker Shayna Pirreca (7) looks to pass the ball during Florida's 17-11 loss to North Carolina on Feb. 7 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
