Alumni weekend provided something greater than just the bond of being a Gator.
When Florida took the field against Alabama on Friday, former Gators throughout the program’s 18-year history were there in support of the players still in the midst of figuring it all out.
“These are players that are bonded for life because of the experience they had here,” coach Becky Burleigh said.
Florida’s sole game of the weekend gave the younger players a chance to connect with those who were once in their shoes.
“When the older players have the perspective of being gone — for whether it’s a year or 10 years or 15 years — and then they come back and talk to the current team,” Burleigh said. “It’s really hard when you’re in the situation to appreciate it or to have any perspective on what it’s doing for you.
“When they hear the same things over and over again from so many of the former players — the ability to deal with adversity, confidence, all these things that they feel like they took from being a part of this program — I think it makes the younger players understand that they’re a part of something bigger than just themselves.”
With the freshmen as the face of Florida’s (7-1-1, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) program this season, alumni weekend served as a learning experience for the young team prior to facing two SEC opponents — Mississippi (8-1-1, 1-0 SEC) on Friday and Missouri (5-4, 1-0 SEC) on Sunday.
Burleigh said this weekend’s matchups will test everything the team has practiced and discussed so far this season, and the freshmen will see firsthand what playing a full weekend in the SEC is like.
“The young players are just going to have to get preparation for that from the older players,” Burleigh said.
“It’s a big deal when you go on the road and the other teams are always against you and the fans are against you, and the environment is against you. When you sign up to be a Florida Gator you kind of know that going in, but experiencing it is different than knowing about it.”
Freshman forward Savannah Jordan made quick work of the Crimson Tide’s defense, scoring two goals in the first half to give the Gators a lead before halftime. It was her fourth two-goal game of the season.
“Her transition has been pretty smooth,” Burleigh said.
“Especially because she came in January; I think that helped her get used to what college soccer is all about.”
The SEC named Jordan the league’s Freshman of the Week on Monday.
Her pair of goals Friday gave her 10 this season, making her fourth all time among UF freshmen.
Andi Sellers has the record with 23 goals as a freshman during the 1997 season. Abby Wambach scored 19 in 1998; Melissa Pini totaled 11 in 1995.
Burleigh said after the team met with the alumni during the weekend that the young players gained some insight into their roles moving forward.
“The jersey that says Gators, everyone in that room has worn, everybody in that room has gone through the highs and the lows, and they came out on the outside and have been stronger because of it,” Burleigh said. “That’s a great message for the younger players to hear while they’re here.”
Follow Michelle Provenzano on Twitter @mmprovenzano.
Savannah Jordan battles for the ball during Florida’s 3-0 victory against Alabama on Sept. 20 at James G. Pressly Stadium.
