Just four days after its first loss of the season — an 18-5 blowout at North Carolina — Florida (2-1) returns home for a matchup against St. Bonaventure tonight at 6:30.
This game could set the tone for the rest of the season for Amanda O’Leary’s young Gators if they’re able to bounce back from the devastating loss to the Tar Heels.
Coming off the defeat in Chapel Hill, UF was forced to examine its composure. The team couldn’t stay close to UNC after trailing by just two at the half, and it allowed the Tar Heels to score 12 goals in the second period.
After the game, O’Leary said her players needed to use the matchup against North Carolina as a learning experience, stick to their game plan and stay composed when things don’t go their way.
“It’s a matter of being able to stop the bleeding a little bit,” she said. “When we get into a situation (where) they go on a two or three-goal run, we need to be able to answer back, and if it means coming up with a big save or coming up with a big defensive stand, or if it means scoring a goal at the other end, we need to do something to change the momentum of the game.”
UF gave up against North Carolina when the Tar Heels went on a second-half run Sunday, O’Leary said.
However, she talked to the team about maintaining its poise in upcoming games.
Although the Bonnies are not of the Tar Heels’ caliber, the Gators will need consistency and composure throughout Thursday’s match.
One of the likely candidates to take on the task for UF is attacker Ashley Bruns. Bruns has been one of the Gators’ stand-out freshmen and a go-to player so far.
She’s second on the squad with seven goals scored behind midfielder Brittany Dashiell, who has eight.
Bruns also leads the team in assists, dishing out eight in three games.
Bruns said the squad will forget its loss against the Tar Heels and focus on beating St. Bonaventure.
She will be expected to lead the Gators against the Bonnies because she is often in the point guard or shooting guard role, distributing the ball, dictating the offense and making shots.
“It’s really important for her to have a good game, but if she doesn’t, we hope we have players that can step up into that same role and do that,” O’Leary said.
She added that, if need be, the Gators have other players like Dashiell and midfielders Colby Rhea and Julie Schindel who can help run the offense.
“It’s going to be a really competitive game,” O’Leary said. “How we come off of a big loss will be telltale of how we react to the rest of the season.”
