After the first game of the 2012-13 athletic year, Florida is already hoping for a change of pace.
The No. 21 Gators opened their season with a loss to the unranked Miami (4-1) Friday night in only the second home-opener loss in the program’s history.
“It’s a really disappointing way to start,” coach Becky Burleigh said.
Miami took an early lead on goals by Paige Lombard and Kate Horwarth in the 12th and 17th minute, respectively. The Hurricanes would add on another goal in the 32nd minute and took a 3-0 lead into halftime.
Florida came out strong in the second half. Freshman Claire Falknor, who had just received a yellow card, was able to convert a pass from senior Erika Tymrak into Florida’s first and only goal of the game.
Falknor became the third straight Gator freshman to score in the opening match of the season, joining Havana Solaun in 2011 and Taylor Travis in 2010.
“It felt good, but it’s not satisfying, since we lost by a big amount,” Falknor said.
The Hurricanes scored a final time in the second half when Jesse Shugg’s goal widened the deficit to three again. This was Miami’s third goal on set pieces.
“Miami did a terrific job of taking advantage of the set pieces, and we obviously didn’t do a good job of defending them,” Burleigh said. “I think those things are fixable for us, and if it has to be exposed, I’d rather have it be exposed early.”
Burleigh said practicing set pieces is difficult because players run a higher risk of being injured, but after Friday’s performance, they would have to become a bigger part of their practice routine.
The Gators played a physical game and were called for 20 fouls. Falknor, senior Kathryn Williamson and sophomore Tessa Andujar were all booked with yellow cards.
“I was a little disappointed with our defensive relentlessness because it was too individual,” Burleigh said. “That’s probably why we had some fouls. When you’re trying to defend individually, a lot of times you’re reaching or it’s late, and that’s what causes fouls.”
Florida will take on three top-ranked teams in the next two weeks, squaring off against No. 8 North Carolina, No. 2 Duke and No. 4 Florida State before returning to Gainesville.
Despite the disappointing start, Tymrak said the season can only get better.
“It takes a big fall to know where you stand,” she said. “We got it out of our system and learned a lot from this game.”
