With defender Kat Williamson out indefinitely due to a torn right meniscus, the Gators will look to a pair of seniors to anchor the defense.
The duo of defensive midfielders, Holly King and Jo Dragotta, will look to solidify the Gators’ back line when the team begins its Southeastern Conference schedule this weekend.
“They play a big role in our defense, for sure,” coach Becky Burleigh said. “As holding midfielders, they’re one of the links between our back line and the forwards.”
Dragotta and King will play in front of a younger backline made up of former forward Taylor Travis, junior Maggie Rodgers (who just returned from a left ankle sprain) and underclassmen Tessa Andujar, Annie Bobbitt and Christen Westphal.
“It’s so much fun to watch them grow,” Dragotta said. “Christen, from the very beginning of the season until now, it’s just ridiculous how much she’s grown, to see her confidence come out on the field. And Annie Bobbitt, just her being thrown back into center back, and she’s already composed. … I’m comfortable with them and I’m confident with them.”
As midfielders, Dragotta and King have the ability to affect the game on both offense and defense. King scored her first goal of the season against New Mexico on Sunday. However, in the Gators’ 4-3-2-1 formation, Dragotta and King often find themselves on the defensive side of the ball. Dragotta has not scored a goal in her time at Florida.
“If it happens, it’s great. I’ll probably freak out,” she said. “But at the same time, I just want to win.”
Said King: “I think I pride myself more on that than scoring goals or giving assists. I think my position is more defensive midfield. … Jo is exactly the same way I am.”
King and Dragotta have been starting together since last season and have become close friends off the field.
“I’ve lived with her for I think three years now, so we know each other like the back of our hands,” Dragotta said.
The duo believes their off-the-field chemistry has led to on-the-field success.
“Those two are so experienced and they have such great chemistry,” Burleigh said. “It’s really fun to watch them play together.”
Dragotta and King will play a crucial role in leading the Gators when they take on Kentucky and Auburn this weekend to open SEC play. Kentucky beat then-No. 25 Louisville last weekend before losing for the first time this season on Sunday.
“It’s a whole new season for us,” Burleigh said.
Gators midfielder Holly King rooms with teammate Jo Dragotta. The chemistry from the seniors will help UF cope with the loss of All-American center back Kat Williamson.
