Gilroy Named Preseason First-Team All-American by Inside Lacrosse; Four Others Tabbed All-Americans
Wednesday, December 10, 2014 | Lacrosse
Senior midfielder Shannon Gilroy highlighted a group of five Gators named on the Inside Lacrosse 2015 Preseason All-American list, as announced by the Baltimore-based magazine.
Gilroy, a 2014 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) First-Team All-American and Tewaaraton Award finalist, was tabbed a first-team selection, while senior midfielder Nora Barry and sophomore defender Caroline Fitzgerald were named to the second team. Earning honorable mention accolades were sophomore attacker Sammi Burgess and sophomore defender Taylor Bresnahan.
In 2014, Gilroy had arguably the greatest season by a Gator in program history. The New York native was the nation's leading goal scorer (86), setting a school record, while leading UF in points (106), assists (20) draw controls (82), free-position goals (32) and caused turnovers (24). Among the numerous postseason awards she won were the 2014 WomensLax.com Midfielder of the Year and American Lacrosse Conference (ALC) Midfielder of the Year.
Barry, a 2014 IWLCA Third-Team All-American, has started every game of her Florida career. Last season, the senior led the Gators in ground balls (43), while causing 22 turnovers and adding 40 goals and eight assists on offense.
Fitzgerald, was one of two freshmen to start every game for UF last season and was named to the 2014 Inside Lacrosse All-Rookie Team and the All-ALC Second Team. She was a staple on the Gator defense and tied for second on the team with 30 ground balls and 22 caused turnovers.
Another freshman, Burgess enters her sophomore campaign coming off a debut year where she was named ALC Rookie of the Year after netting 38 goals and 53 points. The Maryland native joined Fitzgerald on the 2014 Inside Lacrosse All-Rookie Team.
Bresnahan started every game for the Gators as a freshman and was chosen to the Inside Lacrosse All-Rookie Team. She tied for second on the team with 22 caused turnovers, while picking up 24 ground balls.
Inside Lacrosse also released its 2015 Face-off Yearbook preseason poll, ranking Florida No. 3, behind No. 1 Maryland and No. 2 North Carolina, both of whom the Gators play during the 2015 regular season. UF opens its season at home on Feb. 7 against the Tar Heels at 11:30 a.m. After a 10-game nonconference slate, the Gators open BIG EAST Conference play against former ALC rival Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 22.
The All-America teams were selected after a consensus from the Inside Lacrosse staff, with consultation from regular magazine contributors and college coach surveys.
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