Following the lacrosse program’s successful sophomore season, the Gators were looking forward to 100-percent continuity in their starting lineup.
They will have to settle for 11 out of 12.
In December, junior midfielder Janine Hillier transferred to Stony Brook in New York, citing a desire to be closer to home as the impetus for the move.
A native of Farmingdale, N.Y., the move allows Hillier to return to Long Island and play for her sister, Kim, who is a first-year assistant on the Stony Brook staff.
“She wanted to get closer to home,” said UF head coach Amanda O’Leary. “You always want your players to be happy, and that’s something she felt like she needed to do, and if that made her happy, then great for her.”
After making her decision to transfer, Hillier released a statement in which she made it clear she was leaving UF on good terms.
“I am extremely thankful and honored to have been a part of a great program led by the top coaches in the country,” she said in the statement. “I also am grateful to have had the opportunity to play with some of the best players in the country as well. I wish the team all the best of luck in the world!”
Hillier was part of the program’s inaugural top-ranked recruiting class in 2009 that included 24 players. She was the team’s fourth-leading scorer as a sophomore last season with 34 goals and six assists and was second on the team with 35 draw controls. Her play earned her American Lacrosse Conference Second Team honors.
“Janine was a fantastic player,” O’Leary said. “I think our program will move on, and we have moved on.”
The Gators’ incoming recruiting class was ranked third-best in the nation, according to Inside Lacrosse Magazine, and O’Leary said some of the new players will be counted on to replace Hillier’s production.
“We have some fantastic freshmen who have really stepped up,” O’Leary said. “Nicole Graziano. Nora Barry. And Shannon Gilroy is just coming off a knee injury … and she’s done a really nice job of stepping in.”
Gabi Wiegand, a junior transfer from Richmond, is another player O’Leary said will help fill the void left by Hillier. O’Leary said all of the players have the physical and technical skills to have an immediate impact.
“They are really speedy, and they’re quick, and they have good shot selection,” she said.
The starting lineup has not yet been set, and there is still open competition in practice.
According to O’Leary, their performances Thursday in the Gators’ exhibition against England will help in determining the starting lineup for the regular season opener against North Carolina on Feb.11.
