College lacrosse is back. As perhaps the most anticipated season in NCAA history approaches, we’re featuring every team ranked in the Nike/US Lacrosse Preseason Top 20.

Check back to USLaxMagazine.com each weekday for new previews, scouting reports and rival analysis.

Before Cara Trombetta returned home for winter break, she met with the Florida coaches to discuss her playing role at the defensive end.

“I said it doesn’t matter as long as I’m playing somebody that challenges me,” said Trombetta, the fifth-year All-American defender. “I like to be part of the action. I don’t want to be sitting back and watching things happen.”

When the NCAA extended an extra year of eligibility to seniors last March, Gators coach Amanda O’Leary made sure to invite Trombetta back to be a part of the action. Trombetta is the only senior to return for a fifth year as she takes graduate classes toward a master’s degree in health education and behavior. Her return gives Florida a great starting point as it organizes its defense.

“Cara just wants the best player every game,” O’Leary said. “Sometimes we need her to do something else because she is such the leader back there. She sees everything and she can direct people and can direct the slides. She’s impressive.”

O’Leary believes Trombetta is the best defender in the country. She has been on the Tewaaraton watch list in each of the last two seasons and was an Inside Lacrosse first-team All-American in the shortened 2020 season.

“She has the 1v1 ability, she sees the field [and] she’s a communicator,” O’Leary said. “She’s everything you want in a defender.”

Trombetta has started every game in her career for the Gators, who picked up impressive wins over Maryland and Stony Brook last year. Her versatility and leadership are critical.

“She’s embraced the opportunity to pass on her leadership skills and even her lacrosse skills to the next class,” O’Leary said. “She’s like having a second coach out there.”

Trombetta has been sharing a wealth of knowledge. She was a freshman when she played crease defense for the first time. She sometimes guards X if a team has a highly impactful player there. And she really relishes the chance to play up top, where the open field presents an extra challenge.

“It really depends on the other team and what their offensive sets look like and how we can disrupt that,” Trombetta said. “I’m happy to play wherever they need me.”

Trombetta returns to the defensive end along with Becky Browndorf, Kaitlyn Dabkowski and Emma Wightman in front of returning goalie Sarah Reznick.

“It’s the same defense plus some more,” Trombetta said. “We had some good freshmen come in. We also have a lot of people that didn’t see the field as much last year that have grown and have the opportunity to get on the field and help.”

With so much back from a team that hopes to improve on its 37th-ranked scoring defense, Trombetta is geared up to take on her role as well as balancing being her usual vocal self with allowing others to develop as leaders as well.

“I will do everything that I can to help the team succeed,” Trombetta said. “As a fifth-year, I’m looking forward to some of the other girls leading too and making sure they have their opportunity to step up and be leaders.”

TOP RETURNERS

Shannon Kavanagh, M, Sr.

The All-American midfielder improves every year. She led the Gators in assists in each of her first two years, then last season led them in goals. She’s also been tops in draw controls for two straight years.

Brianna Harris, A, R-Sr.

Harris led the Gators in points and assists in 2020 in her first full season at attack. She’s poised to build on it while remaining a subtly strong part of the draw control.

Sarah Reznick, G, R-So.

Kavanagh scored eight goals, but Reznick’s career-high 14 saves ignited Florida’s win over Maryland last year. Expectations are increased after leading the AAC in save percentage (.482), saves per game (9.9) and total saves (79).

KEY ADDITION

Paisley Eagen, M, R-So.

After starting in a more defensive role for Boston College last year, Eagen excited the Florida staff this fall with her offensive creativity, defensive skills and competitiveness that make her a perfect fit.

ENEMY LINES

“Florida is always an exciting team to play. They always have such athleticism and energy and they play with a real chip on their shoulder. They’ve probably had an opportunity to see where they need to revamp some of their game and that's a dangerous thing when you're talking about Florida. And again, really high-caliber coaches, high-caliber players — real athletes that once a game gets going can be extremely dangerous. In 2021, Florida is going to come out with a different kind of take after having an opportunity to see what they did in 2020. They play a lot of really great teams out of conference. That battle tests them and prepares them really well. I know they got a lot of really good recruits in 2021, their freshman class. After infusing them, it will be interesting to see how Florida explodes onto the scene in 2021.”

“They’ve got some players who were on the young side and were unknown, but they got some war wounds early and they really improved. I like them.”

“They showed what they’re capable of doing last year and they have returners. Shannon Kavanagh is a senior this year. They’re going to be motivated. You can’t fall asleep on for a second because they’re going to score quick goals. They’re really great in transition and can score. And their goalkeeper last year, Sarah Reznick, was good as a freshman and is just going to keep getting better.”

NUMBERS GAME

120

Career caused turnovers by Trombetta, a Florida program record, in just 70 games. Second-most is 87 by Caroline Fitzgerald, who set the previous mark in 82 games.