GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The fourth-seeded Florida lacrosse team (18-2, 5-0 Big 12) earned its sixth-consecutive double-digit victory, defeating Mercer (12-8, 7-1 Big South) 18-6 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon.

As the Florida Gators enter this weekend’s pivotal series at No. 1 Texas, which begins Friday night, they sit at 33-17 overall and 11-13 in the ultra-competitive Southeastern Conference. UF, once 1-11 in league play,

Fresh off leading Florida to 36 wins and a national championship, the Gators have handed coach Todd Golden a fresh six-year contract that will make him one of the top five highest-paid coaches in the country.