sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Tampa Bay goalie Anders Lindback (39) makes a save as Montreal winger Max Pacioretty (67) looks for a rebound during Game 1 of their first-round playoff series in Tampa.

Sports

Playoff hockey is worth watching

By GORDON STREISAND< | Apr. 16, 2014

Hockey is effing great. It’s full of cool stuff.

Eddie Lovett leaps over a hurdle during an NCAA East Preliminary Round in Greensboro, N.C., on May 24, 2013. Lovett played with former UF safety Matt Elam in high school.

Sports

On track: Lovett focuses on track to become SEC Champion

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Apr. 16, 2014

Walking onto the UF campus his freshman year, Eddie Lovett didn’t see track and field as his future.

Senior Elizabeth Beisel competes in the 200-yard butterfly during Florida’s match against Auburn on Jan. 25 in the O’Connell Center. Beisel listened to EDM and rap before races this season to get pumped up.

Sports

Getting ready: Florida swimmers share pre-race routines

By Logan McGuire | Apr. 15, 2014

Every race is unique.

Taylor Gushue bats during Florida’s 3-1 win against FSU on March 18 at McKethan Stadium. Gushue was a second-team All-American in 2014 after batting a career-high .318

Sports

Florida finishes road trip with victory over Florida Gulf Coast

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 15, 2014

The Gators had their work cut out for them two weeks ago. An eight-game road trip that included three top-10 teams awaited them.

Hannah Rogers pitches during Florida’s 4-2 win against Mississippi State on April 6, 2013. Rogers holds a team-best 1.81 ERA, which is the fourth-best mark in the Southeastern Conference this season.

Sports

UF relying on pitching as regular season nears close

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 15, 2014

With just 10 games left in the regular season, coach Tim Walton wants his team to remain composed with postseason play around the corner.

Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots during Washington’s 104-91 win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

Sports

Brewer scores career-high 51

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Apr. 15, 2014

Prior to Friday night, Corey Brewer had never scored more than 29 points in an NBA game. During his three-year tenure at Florida under Billy Donovan, Brewer topped out at 26 points.

Florent Diep swings at the ball during Florida’s 4-2 win against TCU on Jan. 26 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

Sports

Gators preparing for SEC Tournament action

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Apr. 15, 2014

In Bryan Shelton’s first year as Florida’s coach last season, the Gators failed to advance to the Southeastern Conference Tournament championship match.

Former Tennessee men’s basketball coach Cuonzo Martin (right) smiles as he is introduced as Cal’s new coach at a press conference Tuesday in Berkeley, Calif.

Sports

Vols coach accepts Cal job

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 15, 2014

The Cuonzo Martin Experiment at Tennessee is over.

Rachel Spicer performs a floor routine during Florida’s 197.525-196.025 win against Arkansas on Feb. 14 in the O’Connell Center. Spicer and the Gators start the NCAA Championships on Saturday.

Sports

Gators prepare for championships

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Apr. 14, 2014

With five days left in the 2014 gymnastics season and just one practice before the Gators depart for the NCAA Championship, the finish line is clearly in sight.

Briana Little bats during Florida’s 2-0 win against Ole Miss on March 9 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Little has hit well despite limited playing time this season.

Sports

Reserves come up big for Florida in nonconference weekend

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 14, 2014

After starting 53 games and hitting 11 home runs in 2013, Briana Little has seen less time on the field this season.

Sammi Burgess (2) drives toward the net during Florida’s 21-5 win against Jacksonville on Feb. 12 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Burgess scored four goals against Vanderbilt on Sunday.

Sports

Florida’s pace key factor for offense against Northwestern

By EDEN OTERO | Apr. 14, 2014

The most anticipated regular-season game is here.

A.J. Puk pitches during Florida’s 9-7 loss against Maryland on Feb. 15 at McKethan Stadium.

Sports

Gators’ clutch victories vault them to top-10 ranking

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 14, 2014

When trouble brewed in 2013, Florida folded. That has not been the case this season.

Adam Lane (22) breaks a tackle during Florida’s Orange and Blue Debut on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Lane was UF’s leading rusher during the game.

Sports

Running backs key to new offensive scheme for UF

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 13, 2014

Adam Lane followed coach Will Muschamp’s postgame press conference as the first player to speak. Muschamp quipped about Lane’s height, saying he needed to stand up so the reporters could see him.

Taylor Gushue bats during Florida’s 3-1 win against Florida State on March 18 at McKethan Stadium. Gushue hit a single to start a four-run rally in the eighth inning of UF’s 6-5 win against USC on Sunday.

Sports

Eighth-inning rally gives Florida series win against South Carolina

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Apr. 13, 2014

Florida’s series-clinching win against South Carolina was a group effort.

$Jeff Driskel (6) signals down the field as he scrambles during Florida’s Orange and Blue Debut on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Driskel suffered a fractured fibula against Tennessee on Sept. 21, 2013.$

Sports

Driskel solid in first game at Florida Field following injury

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Apr. 13, 2014

Jeff Driskel took to Florida Field during Saturday’s Orange and Blue Debut for the first time since suffering a season-ending fractured fibula against Tennessee on Sept. 21, 2013.

After graduating 12 seniors in 2013, Florida looked to 2014 as a year of rebuilding with 11 new players on the field. However, Florida ended conference play undefeated despite the lack of experience. The Gators won their fourth straight American Lacrosse Conference regular-season title, second conference tournament title and made a fourth straight NCAA Quarterfinals appearance.
Next season, Florida will still be fighting to be the No. 1 seed, but coach Amanda O’Leary and company will have to do so in their new conference: The Big East.

Sports

Gilroy sets points record in Florida win against Vanderbilt

By EDEN OTERO | Apr. 13, 2014

With the nostalgia of Senior Day lingering and the pressure to stay undefeated in the American Lacrosse Conference apparent, Florida came out ready to take the win Sunday.

Sports

Gators defeat Wildcats in last match of regular season

By IAN COHEN | Apr. 13, 2014

Before the start of Sunday’s match, Florida’s three seniors received bouquets of flowers, personalized framed jerseys and a standing ovation from the crowd.

Sports

Gators need 13 innings to topple Gamecocks

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 13, 2014

A Justin Shafer sacrifice fly scored the go-ahead run against South Carolina on Saturday night to even up the Southeastern Conference series and keep Florida tied at the top of its division.

Sports

Gators dominate in shortened game against Wolfpack

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Apr. 13, 2014

Florida capped its nonconference weekend with a second shutout on Saturday. No. 6 UF (37-8, 8-7 Southeastern Conference) defeated North Carolina State (26-11, 12-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) 10-0 in four and a half innings at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Hunter Joyer (41) runs the ball during Florida’s Orange and Blue Debut on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators’ two offenses combined for 606 yards in the game.

Sports

Gators show off offense at spring game

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 12, 2014

Florida showcased its new up-tempo offense during the Orange and Blue Debut on Saturday, and coach Will Muschamp liked what he saw in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.