Dominance in the Details: Davies, Finnelle, and Hahn Power Florida Gators’ Title Run with Big 12 Weekly Honors
When a team achieves excellence, it is often fueled by standout individuals working in sync with a collective vision. That’s exactly the case with the Florida Gators women’s lacrosse team, whose impressive 2025 season reached another high point last week. After a commanding 17–5 victory over Arizona State, the Big 12 Conference honored three of Florida’s brightest stars—Kaitlyn Davies, Elyse Finnelle, and Frannie Hahn—with Player of the Week distinctions. For the trio, the awards are both personal milestones and reflections of a program firing on all cylinders.
In a sport where momentum is everything, the Gators’ trio has been nothing short of game-changing. Let’s dive deeper into each player’s journey, performance, and impact, and look ahead to what their continued dominance means as Florida eyes postseason glory.
Kaitlyn Davies: The Engine of the Midfield
Second Midfielder of the Week Award in 2025
When Kaitlyn Davies takes the field, she does so with a quiet intensity that quickly becomes apparent in her stats. A junior leader with elite two-way ability, Davies has served as the transitional heartbeat of the Gators’ lacrosse machine. In the Arizona State game, she tallied four goals and an assist, but that was only part of her impact. With five draw controls, two caused turnovers, and a ground ball, Davies proved yet again that she’s far more than a scoring threat—she’s a complete midfielder.
“She’s the glue for our midfield,” said Florida head coach Amanda O’Leary. “Her ability to control tempo, win possessions, and contribute on both ends makes her indispensable.”
Davies has now logged seven hat tricks this season and ranks:
- 3rd in goals (38)
- 2nd in caused turnovers (18)
- 3rd in draw controls (30)
- 3rd in ground balls (24)
Her leadership has also been instrumental in Florida’s unbeaten conference run. With every possession she wins or turnover she forces, Davies sets the tone for the Gators’ aggressive and fluid style of play.
“She’s one of those players you don’t always see in the highlights, but without her, we don’t win these games by the margins we do,” said teammate Sydney Schatz.
With this being her second Midfielder of the Week award and her third Big 12 honor of the season, Davies is quickly solidifying herself as one of the top midfielders in the nation.
Elyse Finnelle: The Wall Between the Pipes
Third Consecutive Goalkeeper of the Week
What’s harder than scoring against Florida? Scoring against Elyse Finnelle. The senior goalie has emerged as one of the most reliable netminders in the country, and her performance against Arizona State was vintage: 10 saves and a .714 save percentage.
Those numbers weren’t an outlier—they’re part of a dominant trend. Over her last five games, Finnelle has:
- 42 saves
- .667 save percentage
- Allowed fewer than 7 goals per game
With a perfect 10-0 record in games she’s started, Finnelle gives the Gators something every championship contender needs—stability in net.
“She’s our anchor,” said Coach O’Leary. “Knowing we have Elyse in the cage allows our defense to play more aggressively. She gives us the confidence to take chances.”
Finnelle’s calm demeanor, elite footwork, and shot-reading instincts have propelled her to the top tier of college goalkeepers. Her continued dominance is crucial as the Gators prepare for tougher opponents in the Big 12 Tournament and the NCAA Championships beyond.
Frannie Hahn: The Freshman Phenom
Third Freshman of the Week Award, Second Straight Week
To make a major impact as a freshman on a nationally ranked team takes a special kind of player. Frannie Hahn is exactly that. In the victory over Arizona State, she registered two goals and four assists, bringing her season totals to:
- 27 goals
- 50 assists
- 77 total points
She leads the team in both assists and points, and her field vision has unlocked Florida’s offense in ways few freshmen ever do. Her IQ, passing precision, and ability to read defenses give her the edge.
“She sees plays develop before they happen,” said senior attacker Danielle Pavinelli. “Playing with her is like playing with a veteran.”
Hahn has also contributed defensively with:
- 17 ground balls
- 8 caused turnovers
A true all-around threat, she’s arguably Florida’s most impactful first-year player since the program’s inception. With three Freshman of the Week honors—including two back-to-back—she’s on the radar not only for conference awards, but potentially national Freshman of the Year consideration.
Florida’s Big 12 Title Run: A Collective Effort
The 17–5 dismantling of Arizona State did more than elevate three stars—it clinched the Big 12 Regular Season Championship for Florida. The Gators have now won 11 straight games, outscoring opponents by a staggering average of 9.3 goals per game during that stretch.
The keys to their success?
- Elite midfield balance (led by Davies)
- Top-tier goaltending (Finnelle)
- Explosive offensive coordination (thanks to Hahn and others)
Florida’s defense is allowing just 7.1 goals per game, while their offense is putting up 16.2 goals per contest. That kind of dominance suggests they aren’t just conference contenders—they’re legitimate national title threats.
Coach Amanda O’Leary’s Championship Formula
Much of Florida’s success traces back to the steady hand of Coach Amanda O’Leary, who has crafted a culture of excellence since the program’s founding in 2010. Under her leadership, the Gators have made NCAA Tournament appearances nearly every year and have claimed multiple conference championships.
This year’s team is one of her deepest yet, blending veteran leadership with breakout underclassmen like Hahn.
“What I love about this group is their commitment to getting better every day,” O’Leary said. “These weekly awards are great, but the goal is clear—we’re aiming for a national title.”
O’Leary has emphasized fitness, aggressive play, and a next-player-up mentality, which has allowed the Gators to weather injuries and maintain top form throughout the season.
What’s Next: Big 12 Tournament and Beyond
Florida enters the Big 12 Tournament as the top seed and will face UC Davis in the semifinals on Thursday at 6 PM ET in Boulder, Colorado. Should they advance, they’ll play the winner of Denver vs. Arizona State in the final.
Beyond that, the Gators are a lock for the NCAA Tournament, where they are likely to receive a top-five national seed. With a title in sight and key players firing on all cylinders, Florida is peaking at the right time.
Expect Finnelle, Hahn, and Davies to play central roles in every postseason minute.
National Recognition on the Horizon
With the regular season wrapped up, national award conversations are beginning—and Florida’s stars are very much in the mix:
- Elyse Finnelle is a finalist for the ILWomen National Goalkeeper of the Year
- Frannie Hahn is a contender for National Freshman of the Year
- Kaitlyn Davies could be a surprise pick for Tewaaraton Award Watch List
If their form holds, it’s not far-fetched to imagine all three attending national award ceremonies this summer.
The Bigger Picture: A Legacy in the Making
This season isn’t just about one game or a few weekly awards—it’s about building a legacy. With consistent development and recruiting success, Florida’s lacrosse program is becoming a national juggernaut.
And it’s players like Davies, Finnelle, and Hahn who are laying the foundation.
“These players are not only elevating our program—they’re inspiring the next generation of Gators,” said assistant coach Taryn VanThof. “Every young lacrosse player in Florida is watching them and saying, ‘That could be me.’”
Fueling the Gator Machine
As the postseason looms, Florida finds itself in a prime position—unbeaten in the Big 12, brimming with talent, and nationally ranked. The trio of Kaitlyn Davies, Elyse Finnelle, and Frannie Hahn isn’t just making headlines—they’re shaping the future of Gators lacrosse.
They’re reminders that championships aren’t won overnight—they’re built by players who show up, dig deep, and deliver. Week after week.
And if this past week was any indication, the best may be yet to come.
