Taylor Travis epitomizes how the Gators want to play this season.
The senior outside back usually comes off the bench, but when she steps onto the field, she lets her feet do the work.
Statistics do not show the full story of what Travis did in her 65 minutes of action on Friday and Sunday. She was quick to challenge any opponent who went to attack the ball on the flank.
Travis was swift on her feet against a physical LSU team on Sunday, making sure to defend against players threatening Florida’s possession.
With how productive she has been on the field, it would be hard to tell she has been banged up this year.
“She’s battled these little crazy injuries all season,” coach Becky Burleigh said, “and it’s hard for her to have consistent playing time because of that.”
“She’s starting to get more and more healthy. You’ll see her role continue to grow as long as she’s consistent, and she’s proven that so far in the last couple of games.”
Travis and the Gators finished a successful weekend because of their fundamental play.
After going into the weekend with a 4-2 Southeastern Conference record, Florida clawed its way back to a prime position in the league with 3-0 sweeps against Kentucky and LSU.
Holding the league forerunners to a combined 10 shots was due in large part to Florida’s depth in defensive roles.
Burleigh switched out multiple players in the outside back roles throughout Sunday’s matchup against LSU at James G. Pressly Stadium, with all making effort to break down LSU’s defense.
“If we play quickly and we execute, it’s hard to defend, because no defender moves faster than the ball,” Burleigh said. “We just kind of have to keep that trend going and make sure we work on the hustle stats that are 50/50 balls and defending things like set pieces.”
Florida’s risky strategy of sending outside backs forward in the attack has paid off so far.
Against Kentucky on Friday, Florida scored all three goals while utilizing the flanks.
Outside back Claire Falknor ran up the near side and found junior midfielder Havana Solaun near the corner. Falknor made the pass, and Solaun made a cross into the box that found Lauren Smith’s right foot. She took the shot for Florida’s first goal of the night.
Solaun then transferred to the far flank in the second half to find Smith again in prime scoring position en route to Florida’s final goal of the game.
Outside back Lauren Silver helped Florida grab a cushion lead before halftime and quickly ran up the far flank to make a cross to freshman midfielder Liz Slattery.
The freshman took the shot from 21 yards out to get the 2-0 lead over the Wildcats.
Burleigh said going back to the one-two-touch style the team is comfortable with helped with the wins.
“Our team takes a lot of pride in the way that we play, and they also take a lot of pride in being a close team,” Burleigh said.
“We want to see what that looks like on the field, and we’re starting to see some of that.”
Florida’s weekend shutouts improve its conference record to 6-2, tying with Kentucky for second in the league.
“We expect to get better every game,” Burleigh said. “We’re either getting better or getting worse, and right now we’re getting better.”
Follow Michelle Provenzano on Twitter @mmprovenzano.
Junior forward Taylor Travis (41) pushes the ball during Florida’s 4-0 win against Arkansas on Sept. 30, 2012, at James G. Pressly Stadium.
