Gators coach Becky Burleigh will have to make some more space on her already crowded mantel.
Burleigh, the only coach in Florida soccer’s history, was named Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year for the fifth time on Monday.
Burleigh credited the rest of the staff for helping the team earn the top seed in the SEC Tournament.
“If we don’t finish first in the league, I don’t think it happens,” she said. “It’s obviously a team honor.”
Burleigh wasn’t the only Gator who brought home hardware on Monday.
Senior midfielders Erika Tymrak and Holly King each won individual awards. Tymrak was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and King won SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Both were named to the All-SEC first team alongside fellow midfielder Jo Dragotta.
Tymrak leads the Gators in points and assists while ranking second on the team in goals. Tymrak won the award despite not finishing in the top 10 in the SEC in points or goals. She ranks fourth in assists, eighth in points per game and second in assists per game.
Tymrak was named to the All-SEC first team for the third straight season.
“I can’t believe this,” she said.
King was recognized for her play at defensive midfielder, where she provided solid tackling and dominated when the ball was in the air. Dragotta called her “a beast in the air” on Sept. 25.
King also added four goals this season, three of which came off headers.
“I’ve come a long way from not playing a minute in my first game my freshman year to this,” King said.
Dragotta made a name for herself this season. After not scoring in her first three years at Florida, she scored six times in nine games and is tied for the team lead in goals.
“She started to have a breakout year last year, but I think she really took it to a new level this year,” Burleigh said.
Defender Christen Westphal rounded out the list of Gators honored Monday. The freshman was named to the All-SEC second team and to the All-Freshman team. She has started all but one game and has been a rock on a back line that has suffered several injuries.
“Our team is stacked,” King said.
