After Florida’s game against Mississippi St. tonight at 7, fireworks will illuminate the sky. While no one was looking, Jazmyne Avant and Nicky Kit probably provided the sparks.
The No. 6 Gators (8-1-1, 2-0 SEC) have two of the most talented and versatile outside defenders in the nation. Avant and Kit are the igniters to Florida’s potent offense, despite regularly starting more than 80 yards away from goal.
“Our whole system revolves around us pushing forward,” Kit said. “If we’re not going, then the offense isn’t going.”
Avant seconds that, saying, “If we don’t get forward, it messes up the whole attack.”
Under coach Becky Burleigh, the Gators utilize a 4-2-3-1 formation, demanding the outside fullbacks to advance up the flanks and create mismatches near the sidelines. In Burleigh’s system, it is crucial that her outside defenders have the skill set to become potent players within the attack.
“If you don’t have outside backs that are dangerous on the attack then this system doesn’t work,” Burleigh said.
Fortunately for Florida, Burleigh said, “We have two very good players that provide very different, but effective things. Jazmyne’s athleticism gets her behind people all the time, and Nicky serves one of the most beautiful balls; just one you want to finish because it’s such a sweet serve.”
This season, Avant and Kit, along with fullback substitute Brooke Thigpen, have been vital to the offense, each assisting on two goals apiece, tied for second on the Gators. Kit, a senior, has 12 career assists and has been in the top-three on the team since her sophomore season.
According to Burleigh, the diversity in skills between Avant and Kit creates matchup problems for opponents. Avant, a junior, has blazing speed, and under the tutelage of assistant coach Victor Campbell, she has learned how to harness that speed and use it in different ways to frustrate opponents.
Using her supreme footwork, Kit often challenges defenders before servicing balls into the box. At least four times this season, Kit has slipped a ball through the defender’s legs to create a scoring opportunity.
“It’s what makes our team so dynamic,” Kit said. “You cant defend us a certain way because we all have different things to offer.”
Aside from their defending responsibilities, Avant and Kit have been involved in memorable plays this season that helped Florida win games. Avant assisted the Gators’ first goal of the season while Kit had the game-winning assist in overtime against Florida State.
“Right after the game I changed my Facebook status to ‘a night you’ll never forget, with girls you’ll always remember,’” Kit said.
