sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF senior Lauren Embree returns a volley from Baylor sophomore Ema Burgic during the No. 1 Gators’ 7-0 win against the 15th-ranked Bears on Feb. 2. Embree has won four Southeastern Conference titles at Florida.

Sports

Embree leading Florida into matchup with top SEC teams

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Mar. 21, 2013

Lauren Embree proves to be a vital player for Florida time and time again.

Senior Billy Federhofer returns a volley during Florida’s 5-2 win against Miami on Jan. 19 at Linder Stadium. Federhofer hasn't lost a match since Feb. 9.

Sports

Senior leading Florida on the court

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Mar. 21, 2013

Billy Federhofer knocked on wood when asked about his current winning streak.

Katie Medina jogs out of the batter’s box during Florida’s 9-1 win over UNC Wilmington on Feb. 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Medina singled with bases loaded to help Florida to a 4-3 walk-off victory against UAB on Saturday in the NCAA Super Regional.

Sports

Sophomore hoping glove catches up with strong throwing arm

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 21, 2013

Katie Medina needed to make a tough play.

Senior attacker Kitty Cullen looks to score against UAlbany on Feb. 24 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Cullen scored two goals in her final game for the Gators.

Sports

Gators aiming to be efficient on offense

Mar. 21, 2013

Florida's lacrosse team has an offensive motto – achieve a 50 percent shooting mark.

Sports

March Madness preview: South Regional

By GREG LUCA | Mar. 21, 2013

The Favorite: Kansas

Guard Michael Frazier II (20) drives toward the hoop during Florida’s 77-44 win against Georgia on Jan. 9 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Florida’s volatility will limit success in Big Dance

By GREG LUCA< | Mar. 20, 2013

As people across the nation fill out their brackets, no team is causing more crossouts, rewrites and do-overs than Florida.

Junior guard Jaterra Bonds shoots during Florida’s 69-58 win against Arkansas on Feb. 28 in the O’Connell Center. Bonds scored 12 points against Winthrop on Monday.

Sports

Florida begins WNIT play tonight against Florida International

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Mar. 20, 2013

Florida will not be facing Meighan Simmons tonight in the first round of the WNIT, but the Gators are preparing as if they are.

Senior guard Kenny Boynton (1) takes it to the basket during Florida’s 66-63 loss to Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament final on March 17 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Boynton and the Gators have lost in the Elite Eight each of the last two years.

Sports

alligatorSports consensus bracket

Mar. 20, 2013

alligatorSports Consensus Bracket

Bailey Castro bats during an exhibition against Santa Fe on Nov. 7, 2012, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Castro struck out in a key spot in Florida's 7-3 win against Florida State on Wednesday.

Sports

Gators slug their way to win over USC Upstate

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Mar. 20, 2013

Lauren Haeger and Bailey Castro did what they do best at Kate Seashole Pressly Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Loucheiz Purifoy (15) catches passes during warmups before Florida’s 17-9 loss to Georgia on Oct. 27 in Jacksonville.

Sports

Junior cornerback adjusting to life as two-way player

By JOE MORGAN< | Mar. 19, 2013

Brian Poole seems to be the only guy who can slow down Loucheiz Purifoy.

Davidson’s De’Mon Brooks (24) shoots as College of Charleston’s Adjehi Baru (1) defends during the second half of the Southern Conference tournament final on March 11.

Sports

Breaking down this week’s potential Cinderella upsets

By GREG LUCA< | Mar. 19, 2013

Davidson, Belmont, Minnesota and St. Mary’s will be the teams that defy their seeding and open the Big Dance with upsets.

Catcher Taylor Gushue swings during Florida’s 4-1 loss to Florida State on March 12, 2013 at McKethan Stadium. Gushue had a career high four hits, three singles and a double, on Friday against Miami.

Sports

Florida bats come alive in win against North Florida

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Mar. 19, 2013

Taylor Gushue got the cold shoulder from his teammates after one of his best moments this season.

Florida  will play Florida International in the first round of the WNIT on Thursday night at 7 in U.S. Century Bank Arena in Miami. The Gators enter the tournament with an 18-14 record this season.

Sports

Gators earn WNIT berth

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Mar. 19, 2013

Although the Gators will not be dancing this postseason, they still have the opportunity to continue playing.

Sophomore midfielder Nora Barry runs past Stony Brook’s Amber Kupres during the Gators’ 16-9 win on Feb. 20 at Dizney Stadium. Barry scored three goals in Florida's 22-1 win against Stetson on Tuesday.

Sports

Senior accepts marriage proposal after blowout win

Mar. 19, 2013

Twenty-two goals and a diamond ring capped a flawless night for Emily Dohony and UF at Dizney Stadium.

Lauren Haeger (17) runs home after hitting a game-tying homer during Florida’s 4-3 victory against Charleston Southern on Feb. 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Sophomore proving clutch

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 19, 2013

In high-pressure scenarios, coach Tim Walton turns to Lauren Haeger.

Junior center Patric Young (right) attempts a hook shot during Florida’s 66-40 win against Vanderbilt on March 6 in the O’Connell Center. .

Sports

Midwest Regional Preview

By GREG LUCA< | Mar. 19, 2013

The Favorite: Louisville

Sports

March Madness preview: West Region

By GREG LUCA | Mar. 19, 2013

The Favorite: Gonzaga

Pittsburgh's Steven Adams (13) goes up past Syracuse's C.J. Fair during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East Conference tournament, Thursday, March 14, 2013 in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Sports

Stats, recent history lead to shocking Final Four prediction

By GREG LUCA< | Mar. 18, 2013

Indiana, Kansas, Gonzaga and No. 8 seed Pittsburgh are the four teams in 2013 that best fit the statistical profile Final Four teams have built during the past 10 years.

Sophomore right fielder Connor Mitchell (13) swings during Florida’s 11-5 loss to Kentucky on Saturday at McKethan Stadium. Mitchell went 3 for 8 in the Gators' series against the Wildcats.

Sports

UF struggling to plate runners

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 18, 2013

The Gators’ frustration spilled over into a scuffle in the eighth inning of Sunday’s loss. Florida first baseman Vickash Ramjit exchanged words with Kentucky’s Matt Reida after another Wildcats runner scored. Umpires separated the two as coaches ran onto the field to diffuse the situation. UF had plenty to be frustrated about.

Senior Brittany Dashiell (22) runs after the ball during Florida’s 18-13 exhibition win against England on Jan. 24 at Dizney Stadium. Dashiell became the first Gator to record 200 career draw controls on Saturday.

Sports

Senior overcoming concussion

Mar. 18, 2013

Senior Brittany Dashiell finished her 2012 campaign in Washington, D.C., as one of five finalists for the Tewaaraton Award, which is given to college lacrosse’s top player each season.