Lauren Silver runs the ball wide.
As an outside back, Silver capitalizes on her playmaking abilities when the Gators use the width of the field.
The junior defender has already topped her assist record from last season, earning four assists within the first seven games — one more than she earned through 24 games in 2012.
Two of her assists came from corner-kick opportunities, making it the first time Silver has assisted on goals off the set piece in her career.
She said she owes a great deal of her playmaking this season to her experience from the past two years.
“I can’t even describe the amount of things I think I’ve learned from UF soccer,” Silver said.
“As I continue to grow on the team, I think I’ve learned a lot and experienced different things, like facing the weather, and experiencing a lot of adversity.
“Being able to go into my third year and have all these different challenges that we’ve already gone through, kind of gets us prepared for what we have to come against this year.”
Silver’s role on Florida’s backline will be an important component facing Southeastern Conference opponents Mississippi and Missouri on the road.
Limiting Mississippi senior forward Rafaelle Souza in the attacking third will be key for Florida.
Souza, a native of Brazil, has scored 27 goals in her career at Ole Miss — one of them coming against Florida in 2012.
The Gators maintained possession early in last year’s two matchups against the Rebels, leading them to two victories.
Silver said the team’s ability to control the pace of play early in games will help it this weekend.
“To carry that on is really important because I think the first five minutes of any game really dictates how it’s going to be played out,” Silver said. “If we can get the first couple possessions and get a couple chances before the game even gets to sit in, I think that’s just going to intimidate their team and bring a different force towards them.”
The Miami native will also see a familiar face going into Sunday’s Missouri matchup. Former Florida Atlantic soccer coach and Team Boca club coach Brian Dooley is Mizzou’s assistant coach this season. Silver played on Dooley’s club team before coming to Florida, but she said she’s learned more playing the Gators’ style of soccer.
“If they’re teaching their teams based off my team, we all bring different things to the table now,” Silver said. “I might have learned some things [from Dooley], but other people have taught me things as well. We only have one style, and I don’t think anyone really plays like us.”
Coach Becky Burleigh thinks both teams will test Florida with an aggressive offense, but she is confident in how Silver and Florida’s defense have developed in recent years.
“I think Lauren has embraced what she does very well,” Burleigh said.
“She has some shortcomings, but she doesn’t let those shortcomings keep her off the field. She takes defense very personally, and because of that, she does not like to get beat.”
Follow Michelle Provenzano on Twitter @mmprovenzano.
Lauren Silver dribbles the ball during Florida’s 3-0 victory against Alabama on Friday at James G. Pressly Stadium. The junior defender recorded four assists during the Gators’ first seven games this season.
