Limiting the amount of shots on goal your opponent attempts during a match is significant, but allowing no goals is key.
With three members of Florida’s starting backline from 2013 — Tessa Andujar, Christen Westphal and Claire Falknor — playing on opening weekend, the Gators defense continues to prevent opponents from attacking and scoring on their goal.
After opening the season with a 3-0 victory over Miami, No. 8 Florida defeated South Florida 2-0 to record back-to-back shutout victories.
However, shutouts aren’t anything new for this Gators club.
The backline of Andujar, Westphal, Falknor and senior Karina Gutsche limited opponents to a total of 15 goals in 2013, which was the third-lowest total in program history and the lowest amount of goals allowed since surrendering 12 in the 2007 season.
In the outcomes of victories the Gators posted last season, 13 of the team’s 18 wins came in shutout performances.
“For us, defending starts from the very front forward, but for sure the backline takes a lot of pride in shutouts and I think our whole team does,” coach Becky Burleigh said. “They (the backline) get a lot of help when people double down back after the ball goes past them, and the more we continue to grow in that team defense the better we’re going to be.”
Florida limited Miami to one shot on goal and South Florida to three. Meanwhile, the Gators have registered 29 shots and turned in five goals in two games.
During the 2013 season, the Gators had two winning streaks compiled of shutouts. The first was a four-game route and the second was increased to six.
With the backline acknowledging their role when the ball is pressed into their territory, has set up an above average job done by the defenders.
“We’re working really hard in practice on defense, staying together and just communicate a lot,” Andujar said. “We know where each other is supposed to go and communication is the best thing to do in our defense.”
Andujar and her fellow defenders last season created a backline that averaged a 0.61 goals against average, which was the program’s third lowest mark.
However, the defenders haven’t done it by themselves.
Senior goalkeeper Taylor Burke has consistently defended her turf and is climbing a shutout mark of her own.
Burke captured her 25th solo shutout as keeper and inched her way closer to the school record of 27, which is owned by Katie Fraine.
With a six-game road stretch approaching — including matchups against No. 2 Florida State and No. 6 Stanford — the accountability of the backline defense will be put to the test.
“It shouldn’t be that I trust them more than they trust themselves,” Burleigh said. “I explicitly trust if they stick with the plan, that they all know how to execute we will be fine.”
Follow Lawrence Laguna on Twitter @LagunaLawrence
Tessa Andujar (15) dribbles the ball during Florida's 2-0 win against South Florida on Sunday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
