UF LAX | Gators Ranked Seventh in ILWomen/IWLCA Preseason Poll

Florida set to start the season Feb. 12 against No. 17 Michigan

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida lacrosse team will begin its 2023 campaign ranked No. 7 in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association/Inside Lacrosse Women’s poll, as the two organizations announced Monday.

The 2023 season marks the 13th time in the program’s 14 seasons that the Gators have been ranked in the IWLCA poll.

This preseason poll marks the second year that the IWLCA and Inside Lacrosse have joined forces on the poll. The weekly polls will begin on Feb. 13 following the first weekend of game action.

Florida is set to face six ranked opponents and one opponent receiving votes during the 2023 campaign. UF starts the season against No. 17 Michigan on Feb. 12, then hits the road to take on No. 1 North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Feb. 18. The Gators return home on Feb. 26 for their third-straight ranked matchup, taking on the second-ranked Maryland Terrapins at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Florida faces an Arizona State team receiving votes on March 5 in Gainesville, then follows that with a Top-10 matchup against Loyola (No. 10) on March 11. UF opens the American Athletic Conference season against No. 12 James Madison in the Dukes first season in the league, then rounds out competition against its ranked opponents on April 26 at No. 19 Jacksonville.

The Gators are coming off a stellar 17-5 record during the 2022 season, finishing with an appearance in the NCAA Quarterfinals. During the year, Florida went a perfect 5-0 in conference play, winning its 11th-straight conference title. The Gators also clinched the AAC Tournament Championship – their eighth-straight tournament championship.

2023 ILWomen/IWLCA Preseason Poll
Rank

Institution

Points (FPV)

Last Poll

North Carolina

666 (22)

Maryland

634 (2)

Boston College

613 (3)

Northwestern

599