There is one huge element of the Florida Gators soccer team being overlooked.
The two topics of discussion surrounding the team have included coach Becky Burleigh’s 15 player freshmen class and the offensive ability of two-time All-American Savannah Jordan.
What isn’t receiving any attention is the defense.
Burleigh said team defense is an important part of the game. The Gators need to work together to not only set up the formation but also dictate the flow of the match.
The forwards are the first line of defense for the Gators and are important in establishing how the team will defend.
This allows the lines behind them to win the ball.
"I think team defense is just the mentality of everyone, having a team defensive mindset," Burleigh said.
"You don’t have to be a defender to defend, everybody can do that. ...We like to think about double-teaming, triple-teaming, anything we can to put the other team under pressure."
Heading into Thursday night’s home game against No. 6 Texas A&M, Burleigh said she doesn’t want to sound like a broken record, but wants to see the team’s defense improve.
"The end goal is to really maximize the talent of this group," Burleigh said. "We’re nowhere near that, which is a good thing. But I think for us it’s about taking little steps forward everyday whether it’s in training or whether it’s in games."
Senior defender Claire Falknor thinks the country as a whole has so much interest in accumulating scoring and points on the final stat sheet that the importance of defense is easily overlooked.
"I just feel like we live in a society, or at least the United States, we focus on like football it’s about scoring and other sports like basketball it’s all about the high scoring," Falknor said.
"I even ask people like my friends, ‘Why don’t you like soccer?’ They’re just like ‘well there’s not much scoring and it’s boring.’"
Falknor said the team has been working on a total defensive effort instead of relying solely on those playing defensive positions.
"I think it’s crucial that everyone plays a role in defense," Falknor said.
"Even though it doesn’t get rewarded in social media and like interviews are all about the offense, I think defense is a key."
With senior defensive midfielder Lauren Smith making her season debut last Friday against Oklahoma State, Falknor was able to push the ball into an attacking position — a crucial element of Florida’s offense.
"I feel confident back there, she knows what she’s doing and it helps," Falknor said.
"Especially when we play the 3-5-2 it allows me to go forward which I love because I was recruited as a forward and would like to go back to my roots."
Burleigh said switching between formations has demonstrated the depth of the team and its fluidity in all three systems.
It’s something that has stuck out to her about the team through the first three weeks of the season.
Junior midfielder Liz Slattery is right in the middle of those formation changes and noted that being comfortable during transitions is one of the most important aspects of being a midfielder.
"Usually when we change formations it’s right in the middle of the game," Slattery said.
"Most of the changing is happening in the midfield and so making sure that each player knows their role in the middle of the field and knows where to go and how to work with each other in each different system is important."
The Gators’ team defense will be tested Thursday night when they take on the reigning Southeastern Conference champs in Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
"Every single time we play Texas A&M it’s always going to be a battle, kind of how FSU is," Slattery said.
"I think they’re our biggest rivals in the SEC so every single time we play them we want to bring our best and make sure they bring their best."
Follow Ryan Summers on Twitter @RyanSummers18
UF defender Claire Falknor waits for the start of the second period during Florida's 2-1 win against Troy in an exhibition match on Aug. 11, 2015, at the soccer practice field at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
