One game at a time.
That’s the mindset the Gators have as they head into their second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, a weekend in which they could potentially play two games should they advance past California in the second round on Friday night.
But this experienced Florida team knows looking ahead isn’t in its best interests. Any game could be its last, and with eight seniors on the roster, that sense of finality carries extra weight.
The players are treating the game against Cal - and each game going forward - with that in mind, knowing if they don’t come to play with a sense of urgency, the season will be over.
“It’s everybody’s last game,” senior midfielder Havana Solaun said. “So Friday night, whoever’s playing that night, it could be your last game, so I think it comes down to who wants it more.”
The season being over is something the players and coaches have dreaded all season, saying repeatedly they have savored this year and the time spent together more than the usual team does.
“This has just been a very fulfilling season with this group,” coach Becky Burleigh said. “Some of that has to do with results - but not very much of it. I think most of it just has to do with the people.”
Solaun said she feels the same way, and knowing the time with this unit is coming to an end is worse than the fear of getting knocked out of the tournament.
“This team we have this year is so special, and I think that every day we get to keep going we all cherish because we all love playing together, we love practicing together,” she said.
To keep the journey going, Florida will need to keep winning, and as the competition gets tougher with each round, more will be required to survive.
Burleigh knows escaping this weekend will be no easy feat, but she believes her team has what it takes to handle the challenge.
“I think it’s gonna take a lot of character,” she said. “I think it’s gonna take a lot of us being able to be resilient when we face adversity, because there’s no doubt that’s gonna happen at some point.
“But I think all of the experiences we’ve had up to this point in the season have kinda prepared us for this moment.”
And with so much at stake, that moment is the only thing the Gators are focused on.
“For us, it’s the same thing we’ve been doing all year,” Solaun said. “One game at a time.”
Follow Graham Hack on Twitter @Graham_Hack24
Havana Solaun dribbles the ball around six Georgia defenders during UF's 2-1 win against UGA.
