When redshirt senior Kat Williamson missed her first game on Sept. 9 with a right meniscus tear, junior Maggie Rodgers finally returned from a left ankle sprain she suffered in the summer.
With Williamson, an All-American center back, still out indefinitely, the Gators have relied on Rodgers’ experience on the back line more than ever.
Rodgers started at outside back in 16 contests in 2011 but has seen most of her minutes this year at center filling in for Williamson.
“We’re asking her to do two things that are really hard,” coach Becky Burleigh said. “One is she’s come off an injury and … kind of jumps into these games. The other is that we’re putting her in a position that she’s played very sparingly.”
This weekend, Rodgers logged 145 minutes against Auburn and Kentucky, the majority of them at center back next to freshman Christen Westphal.
“She did well for not playing that position especially,” Westphal said. “I didn’t second guess playing next to her. I felt really comfortable.”
Rodgers played sparingly at center during the Gators’ 2012 spring schedule, so the position is not new to her.
“I didn’t really think of it being a hard task,” she said.
This weekend, Rodgers saw more time on the field than sophomore Annie Bobbitt, a natural center back. Bobbitt started 17 matches last year at center but saw 54 fewer minutes than Rodgers against the Wildcats and Tigers.
Rodgers said she has seen her left ankle improve every day.
“It’s healed enough where I can play and stuff,” Rodgers said. “Obviously, it’s still sore from using those muscles that haven’t been used in a while.”
Rodgers is expected to play center on Friday night at 7 when Florida (4-3-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) hosts Tennessee (6-1-2, 1-0-1 SEC).
“She’s going to be learning on the job,” Burleigh said. “She’s going to get better and better as the season goes. That’s a big ask for her, and I think she’s handled it pretty well so far.”
Junior defender Maggie Rodgers (5) gets past a Texas Tech defender on Sep. 2, 2011. Rodgers has filled in for injured All-American center back Kat Williamson.
