Syracuse, N.Y.
Loyola vs. Hofstra
Loyola (11-2) punched its ticket to the NCAAs by winning its fifth Patriot League championship in seven years last weekend. The Greyhounds have won at least one NCAA Tournament game in seven of its eight appearances under head coach Jen Adams and last made the quarterfinals in 2015. Hofstra (6-6), which earned an at-large bid, is making its first appearance in the tournament since 2007.
Livy Rosenzweig paces the Greyhounds in goals (32), assists (42), points (74) and draws (73). Jillian Wilson (23 G, 16 A, 61 DC, 17 CT) also knows how to stuff a stat sheet. Loyola ranks fourth nationally in scoring defense (7.69) and is anchored by goalie Kaitlyn Larsson (7.84 GAA, .519 save percentage). Larsson’s GAA is fourth in Div. I.
The sixth seed Florida Gators lacrosse team (16-2) takes on the Mercer Bears (7-7) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Florida will host the Bears from Donald R. Dizney Stadium first draw starts at 4 p.m. on Friday. This will be the first time both teams meet in team history.
Florida Gators
Florida is coming off their seventh straight tournament championship and their eighth overall in Gators lacrosse history. The Gators are 8-9 in the NCAA tournament.
Senior midfielder Shannon Kavanagh leads the team in points (84) and goals (68). She should be the leading charge in developing the offense for the Gators, alongside senior attacker Brianna Harris who leads the team in assists (37). Kavanagh also leads the team in draw controls with 89.
Sat May 8 2021 | Kenny DeJohn | College
PHOTO COURTESY OF MERCER ATHLETICS
Mercer entered the SoCon tournament two games under .500. It leaves the SoCon tournament at an even 7-7 as one of the feel-good stories of the early stages of the postseason.
The Bears upset second-seeded Coastal Carolina on Thursday and then upset Furman, the top seed, in Saturday afternoon’s conference championship game 14-13.
GUESS WHO’S BACK?@MercerWLAX DANCING AGAIN
The Bears best top-seeded @FUWlax to win a third straight @SoConSports title. pic.twitter.com/ui5beXkvI2
Hailey Rhatigan, is almost always at the center of things for Mercer, scored a game-high five goals with seven draw controls. Lily Morin netted a hat trick, while Chloe Schaeffer, Eva Thorn and Shannon Urey each had the same line two goals and one assist.