Two games in three days is not typically an ideal scenario for a soccer team.
Two games in two cities over 1,000 miles apart is even less ideal.
But for No. 5 Florida (2-1), a trip to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State on Sunday afternoon might be exactly what it needs following a lackluster performance against Ohio State on Friday.
“We have to bounce back quick,” senior midfielder Sarah Troccoli said. “It gives us a chance to practice that.”
Florida looked uninspired at Donald R. DIzney Stadium on Friday. Its offense lost the spark it had shown in the opening two games of the season. The defense fell mostly flat, allowing unranked Ohio State to get off more shots and dictate the pace of play for long stretches. The result was a dull 1-0 win for the Buckeyes.
It was the kind of performance that can linger on the minds of the losing side.
The Gators won’t have much time to think about it, though. Defending Big 12 champion Oklahoma State poses its own challenge. OSU is 2-0 on the season and received votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches Poll.
It also boasts one of the more talented players Florida has faced this season in forward Haley Woodard. She has already found the back of the net twice this season and was featured on the 2018 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List.
The match will kick off at 1:30 and will be broadcast on ESPN Gainesville.
You can follow Sam Campisano on Twitter @samcampisano or contact him at scampisano@alligator.org.
Correction: Ohio State was previously said to be ranked No. 23. This article has been corrected to show Ohio State is unranked.
The No. 5 Gators will travel to Stillwater, Oklahoma, after suffering a home defeat to No. 23 Ohio State. “We have to bounce back quick,” senior midfielder Sarah Troccoli (pictured) said. “It gives us a chance to practice that.”
