On Monday, Erika Tymrak woke up early and got her soccer stuff together just like every normal morning.
But as she finished packing her bag, the realization finally set in — there would be no practice, no more games, no more chances to dance around opposing defenders.
Not until next season.
For Tymrak and her teammates, Sunday’s penalty shootout defeat in the second round of the NCAA Tournament was a devastating loss that rattled their stomachs and rained tears down their faces.
While Duke was a valiant opponent, the Gators expected their “special group” to achieve more.
“I love this team,” coach Becky Burleigh said. “This team is going to go down as one of my all-time favorites in the 16 years I’ve been here, and that’s because they love playing soccer. I know that sounds unusual, but they just loved it. They worked hard, they were focused and it was a joy to coach them every day.”
Burleigh said she has no regrets with this team, which makes its early exit from the NCAA Tournament that much harder. She said this team had chemistry, heart and talent, “the total package to make a deep run.”
Florida was a top-10 team for most of the season and seemed to be hitting its stride heading into the NCAAs.
The Gators dominated the Southeastern Conference, winning a fifth straight regular-season title while claiming their first tournament title since 2007.
Burleigh’s team was markedly improved over last season after a tough offseason that emphasized stronger team defense.
Florida’s team possessed a vaunted attack that saw five players score a combined 44 goals. The Gators had a goal differential of plus-40 this season, substantially up from last season’s plus-27.
And yet the season came down to who shot the ball the best from 12 yards away.
“We’re extremely disappointed,” forward Lindsay Thompson said. “We all believed that we were going to make it really far. We knew we were a special team and we’re not happy it’s over.”
“I know we had more to give,” Tymrak said. “But we can’t be mad at ourselves. We set several goals and achieved them, but we just have to keep improving.”
Burleigh made it a point that one loss doesn’t wipe away what the Gators accomplished this season.
“I am really proud of this team for what they accomplished up until this point, and we’re not going to let one game like this define what this group was,” she said. “The most disappointing part is to have such a talented team out this early. That is something that is going to weigh on us, I’m sure, but it doesn’t take away from the individuals that were a part of this group.”
Although the Gators are shocked their season is over, the development of several core players provides hope for the future.
Kat Williamson stepped right into the vacated shoes of All-American Lauren Hyde and proceeded to win the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
McKenzie Barney came on strong late last season, and this season she led the conference in goals while captaining the Gators as their vocal and inspirational leader.
Tahnai Annis, right behind Barney with 13 goals, and Thompson, who chipped in 8, will both return next season. Tymrak was the sparkplug to Florida’s attack with her SEC-leading 13 assists, and she, too, will be back next season.
The Gators return several indispensable underclassmen, including SEC Freshman of the Year Taylor Travis and steady-holding midfielder Caroline Triglia.
Seniors Katie Fraine, Ashlee Elliott and Nicky Kit will be sorely missed, but their departures do not leave any glaring holes.
Goalie Brooke Chancey proved in the conference tournament her ability to step up, while defender Jo Dragotta came on strong late in the season.
The sour taste will stay for quite some time, but the Gators are motivated to make sure they don’t have to experience that feeling again.
“Next year we’re going to have it in the back of our minds,” Thompson said. “We’re going to do everything in our power to not let it happen again for a third year in a row where we go out in the round of 32. We’re a better team than that. Everybody knows we’re a better team than that. We just have to do it.”
