The Gators know the importance of an early lead.
Florida was 4-8 last year when allowing its opponent to score first, but undefeated in 13 contests when it struck first on the scoreboard.
Unfortunately for the Gators, the issue of slow starts carried over to 2012. Florida scored first against Florida International, but allowed opponents to take early leads in four of six matches.
The only positive for UF was winning two of those games.
“Ideally, we’d not like to get ourselves in those deficits,” coach Becky Burleigh said. “We’ve just got to be a little bit better at not giving away free chances.”
No. 22 Florida (3-2-1) will be looking to strike first when it begins Southeastern Conference play against Kentucky (5-1) tonight at 7 in Lexington, Ky.
In 10 matches during the past two seasons, UF’s opponent scored the opening goal in the first 12 minutes.
The beginning minutes of any match are tricky and frantic, senior Erika Tymrak said.
“We just have to be disciplined, maybe take 10 minutes at a time in the games,” she said. “In the first 10 minutes, let’s just set a goal for ourselves, instead of looking at the whole game.”
Senior Holly King said the defense needs to play smarter and more organized in the game’s opening moments.
“Once you hear the first whistle, everyone wants to go after it,” King said. “It’s important for us to dictate the game.”
The Wildcats have only allowed four goals in six contests, but will miss Kelsey Hunyadi, who led the team in goals (14) and assists (10) last season. UK upset then-No. 25 Louisville 2-0 on Friday but fell to Samford 3-1 on Sunday.
Burleigh said she expects Kentucky to play with an aggressive style similar to that of New Mexico.
The Gators fell behind to the Lobos twice on Sunday but eventually won 3-2.
“It’s a quality to have to be able to come back,” Tymrak said. “But if we could prevent that all the time and maybe only (have it) happen once in a while, that’s really what we’re working for.”
Midfielder Holly King (10) heads a ball during UF's 3-0 victory against Florida International University on Sept. 2. King works as an elementary school teacher at Levy County elementary school every Wednesday.
