Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week Pamela Begic is already making an impact for the Florida offense this season.
The freshman has scored two goals and is the team’s third-leading goal scorer.
“The feeling that you really contribute to the team and to be a part of the team’s success is awesome — indescribable,” Begic said.
The Gators will need Begic to continue playing well this weekend as they face a pair of undefeated teams. No. 9 Florida (5-1) plays Minnesota (6-0) at James G. Pressly Stadium tonight at 7 and travels to Tampa to play USF (4-0-2) at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Coach Becky Burleigh said the many offensive options on her roster this season can only help the Gators become more of a threat.
“It’s a great opportunity because teams really can’t key in on one particular player,” Burleigh said. “After the first weekend, teams really wanted to key on Savannah (Jordan); well, that freed up some other people and that’s going to continue all year long.”
Minnesota comes to Gainesville after beating LSU and Ole Miss last weekend.
“They’ve got to have some confidence coming off those two wins,” Burleigh said. “They’re going to face something very different in us, because we don’t play that similarly to LSU or Ole Miss, but at the same time they’ve got to feel pretty good about beating two SEC teams.”
UF’s strategy is patience, and Minnesota will test how well that style of play holds up.
“They’re really aggressive,” Burleigh said, “and play a pretty high line.”
Junior midfielder Katie Thyken is one of the threats on the Gophers’ front line. Thyken has scored four goals this season, one from a penalty kick to help beat Ole Miss.
But Minnesota won’t provide the only challenge this weekend. USF has a roster of 13 players from abroad, including this season’s leading goal scorer Olivia Chance from Tauranga, New Zealand.
Burleigh said every weekend brings a new challenge and it can only benefit Florida later on this season.
“It’s just like what we’ve talked about through all the other games,” Burleigh said. “It’s great preparation to see all these styles before we head into the SEC.”
Follow Michelle Provenzano on Twitter @mmprovenzano.
Pamela Begic battles for the ball during Florida’s 2-0 win against Oklahoma State on Sept. 8 at James G. Pressly Stadium.
