Host ECU Battles Florida In AAC Tournament Opener

2022 AAC Women's Lacrosse Championship: (4) East Carolina vs. (1) Florida
Coverage	May 5: 4:30 p.m. \\\ vs. (1) Florida \\\ Live Stats \\\ Watch
Venue	Johnson Stadium (1,000) \| Greenville, N.C.
Tournament Central	AAC Championship Central
2022 Statistics	East Carolina \| Florida \| Temple \| Vanderbilt

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Hosting and participating in the American Athletic Conference Women's Lacrosse Championship for the first time in program history, No. 4 seed East Carolina takes on top seed and nationally-ranked Florida in the semifinal round Thursday, May 5, at 4:30 p.m. at Johnson Stadium.

No. 2 seed Temple and third-seeded Vanderbilt square off in the other semifinal at 7:15. All three games of the tournament will stream live via ESPN+.

The Pirates (9-8) and eighth-ranked Gators (13-4) met a few days ago in Greenville where Florida emerged victorious 16-4. Emma LoPinto paced the visitors with a hat trick of three goals while Ellie Bromley, Sophia Locicero, Erin Gulden and Carli Johnston all found the back of the net for ECU. Brynn Knight made 10 saves, marking her fifth contest this season making double-digit stops.

East Carolina garnered six All-AAC honorees according to Wednesday's announcement of the all-conference teams as Nicole LeGar and Megan Tryniski were selected to the first team while Leah Bestany, Bromley, Alexandra Giacolone and Frances Kimel earned second-team recognition. This season marks the first in program history that the Pirates have picked up a first-team honoree.

Bestany is the Pirates' top scorer entering the conference tournament, wrapping up the regular season with 37 goals, while Kimel tops the squad in points (55). Knight has been the steady presence in goal, recording 121 saves and a .437 save percentage.

Florida has won the only two AAC Championship titles contested (2019, 2021) and is 20-0 all time against league opponents. The Gators hosted the 2021 tournament, defeating Cincinnati and Temple by a combined 38-10 scoreline. Florida boasts this year's American Athletic Conference Attack, Defensive, Freshman, Goalkeeper and Coach of the Year recipients as well as nine all-league selections. Danielle Pavinelli leads the Gator offensive efforts with 56 goals and is second on the team in assists (22) and points (78). In goal, Sarah Reznick is 12-4 with a 9.12 goals against average and a .490 save percentage.

The two semifinal winners will compete for the tournament crown and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship Saturday at Noon.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Leah Bestany

Ellie Bromley

Alexandra Giacolone

Erin Gulden

Carli Johnston

Frances Kimel

Brynn Knight

Nicole LeGar

Megan Tryniski

Footer