When Florida lost two straight games against Missouri and South Carolina early in conference play, its chances of winning a Southeastern Conference title looked grim.
The team talked about not losing any more games after the 2-1 double-overtime defeat against the Gamecocks, and the Gators succeeded, ending the regular season tied atop the conference standings.
Entering the SEC Tournament as the No. 1 seed, Florida will make its tournament debut tonight against Arkansas at the Orange Beach Sportsplex in Orange Beach, Ala., at 6.
Eighth-seeded Arkansas won in a 4-0 shutout against ninth-seeded Missouri on Monday night to advance to the second round of the tournament.
The Razorbacks, who were one of the two SEC opponents the Gators did not face in the regular season, finished with a 5-6 record in conference play.
Coach Becky Burleigh said Arkansas is a good team to face because of its contrasting style of play to Florida’s 4-2-3-1 formation and one-two-touch style on the field.
“That’s something we still need to get better at,” Burleigh said of playing dissimilar opponents.
“We have to trust the way that we play. We have to trust one another.
“Everyone has a strength on this team, and let them do their strengths. We are really strong when everyone is playing that way.”
Burleigh said the Gators improved greatly since the beginning of the season, and they have grown into something special.
“The Mississippi State game was one of our turning points,” Burleigh said. “That day we had the big team meeting and then we played that game that night. I think we got closer because of that whole day and that experience.
“As long as we can demonstrate that at a high level, then it gives us a really good chance to win.”
Follow Michelle Provenzano on Twitter @mmprovenzano.
Freshman forward Savannah Jordan passes the ball during Florida’s 2-0 victory against Texas A&M on Oct. 27 at James G. Pressly Stadium.
