Coach Becky Burleigh consistently emphasizes that the Florida women’s soccer team (5-2-0) isn’t solely focused on the outcomes of individual games.
But after dropping their Southeastern Conference opener, the players collectively understand the importance of this upcoming weekend within the context of the season.
"Going into the SEC, we lost our first game unfortunately, and we don’t have a lot of room to lose many more," junior forward Savannah Jordan said.
"We know our goal at the end of the season, we want to win the title and win the SEC. Then from there progress onto the tournament, so this weekend’s big for us. I think if we can get this win, it will put us in the right direction."
Burleigh said the team’s focus has been on trying to gel as a unit along with improving its defensive structure.
"I think it’s just about getting a set defense a little bit quicker," Burleigh said. "We call it ‘fix it’ when we get behind the ball, so maybe having that set defense and maybe a little bit lower restraining line."
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Valerie Tysinger said the team is working in practice to correct the mistakes that led to the Gators relinquishing two goals in their loss to Texas A&M last week.
"I think it’s just trying to prevent the next mistake," Tysinger said. "It’s like a breakdown on all of our parts so it’s kind of like stopping the cycle."
Tysinger came out of the 18-yard box a few times during the TAMU game and said that it was a little out of the ordinary for her.
"I think I’m usually a more play-it-safe kind of character, but I was really wanting to go all in and risk it," Tysinger said. "It didn’t really work out in that game, but sometimes when you leap, you hit the bottom and life goes on. I think it was a lesson learned that I should know my limits, but in a sense I should be a sweeper keeper more with my feet."
Tysinger said the defensive miscues weren’t due to a lack of structure, but thinks it’s more about the team not always being on the same page.
"Sometimes defensively like we’ll individually defend whereas we need to be more group defensive," Tysinger said. "So in that way maybe we’re not as disciplined, but I don’t know if it’s like structure."
Follow Ryan Summers on Twitter @RyanSummers18
UF goalkeeper Val Tysinger (right) battles for possession with FSU forward Cheyna Williams (19) during Florida's 3-2 win on Aug. 30, 2015, at James G. Pressly Stadium.
