Sophomore Jillian Graff doesn’t see a lot of time on the field. But when she does, she makes the most of it.
Graff has been the Gators’ most efficient scorer this season. She has appeared in 11 of Florida’s 12 games but has made only two starts. In those 11 games, she took seven shots. Three of them found the back of the net.
“I try to make something happen every time I get in the game,” Graff said. “Every time I get into the game, I have to make it count.”
Graff has a done a good job of making her minutes count.
Graff achieved her biggest goal of the season against then-No. 2 Duke on Aug. 26, when she scored to give UF momentum going into halftime. The Gators would go on to upset the Blue Devils 3-2 in overtime.
“Once that goal went in, everyone got pumped up,” Graff said after the game.
Graff netted her second goal against Georgia on Sept. 23, solidifying a 4-1 victory for Florida.
Last week, coach Becky Burleigh said Graff had several things she needed to work on before she would see a jump in playing time.
“She does a great job of moving off the ball, but she’s got to continue to attack the back line,” Burleigh said. “She does create space, but ultimately, someone has to exploit that space.”
Graff displayed enough of those skills in practice, so Burleigh penciled her in as a starting forward on Friday against Ole Miss.
Graff did not disappoint.
In a season-high 64 minutes, Graff took two shots on goal. In the 52nd minute, she scored the game-winning goal in the Gators’ 3-1 victory against the Rebels.
“She works hard to get in the box and keep the box organized,” Burleigh said. “Those are things her personality sort of lends itself to. She’s a disciplined person.”
Graff’s teammates have also noticed her clutch play this season.
“Every time Jill comes off the bench, she somehow is able to grasp onto our rhythm and score,” senior Erika Tymrak said.
Sophomore forward Jillian Graff fights for the ball against Arkansas in UF’s 4-0 win on Sunday afternoon at James G. Pressly Stadium. She ranks second on UF with three goals despite starting just two games.
