Florida also grabs two major preseason awards and earns six All-Conference nods
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – For the fifth-straight year, the No. 7 Florida lacrosse team was tabbed to win the American Athletic Conference championship in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll, as the league announced Tuesday.
The conference – in its fifth season – welcomes a new member during the 2023 campaign: No. 12 James Madison. Following Florida, the rest of the preseason poll shakes out like this: James Madison, Vanderbilt, Temple, East Carolina, Cincinnati, Old Dominion.
The Gators were the unanimous first-place selection and led the conference with six preseason All-AAC players, including three unanimous selections. No other school had more than two All-AAC nods in the poll.
In addition to the six All-Conference team selections, Florida earned two Preseason Player of the Year awards.
Danielle Pavinelli was tabbed as the unanimous Preseason Attacker of the Year and Sarah Reznick was named Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year for the third-straight season.
Pavinelli and Reznick were joined on the Preseason All-AAC Team by Catherine Flaherty, Emily Heller, Emma LoPinto, and Tayler Warehime.
LoPinto, Pavinelli and Reznick were all unanimous selections to the team.
The Gators are coming off a strong 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.
Entering the 2023 season, Florida holds an overall record of 203-53 (.793) – all under head coach Amanda O’Leary.
The Gators – picked No. 7 in the ILWomen/IWLCA Preseason Poll – gets the 2023 season started on Feb. 12 against No. 17 Michigan at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
2023 American Athletic Conference Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll
Team (First Place Votes) Points
1. Florida (6) 36
2. James Madison (1) 30
3. Vanderbilt 24
4. Temple 23
5. East Carolina 17
6. Cincinnati 11
7. Old Dominion 6
Preseason Attacker of the Year
Danielle Pavinelli, Florida*
Preseason Midfielder of the Year
Belle Mastropietro, Temple*
Preseason Defender of the Year
Mairead Durkin, James Madison
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Sarah Reznick, Florida*
Preseason All-Conference Team
Ava Goeller, M, Cincinnati
Dani Mlkvy, D, Cincinnati *
Alexandra Giacolone, D, East Carolina
Caroline Kimel, A, East Carolina *
Catherine Flaherty, D, Florida
Emily Heller, M, Florida
Emma LoPinto, A, Florida *
Danielle Pavinelli, A, Florida *
Sarah Reznick, G, Florida *
Tayler Warehime, A, Florida
Mairead Durkin, D, James Madison *
Isabella Peterson, A, James Madison *
Lilly Siskind, A, Old Dominion *
Belle Mastropietro, M Temple *
Mackenzie Roth, A, Temple
Bri Gross, M, Vanderbilt *
*denotes unanimous selection
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