To opposing teams' defenses, it sometimes appears as if the entire UF soccer team is attacking them.
And quite often that is pretty close to what's happening.
Everyone on the field, except the goalie, not only has permission to push forward but is encouraged to do so.
The No. 10 Gators have four defenders, two defensive midfielders, three offensive midfielders and one forward on the field at a time, and all of them get involved in the scoring effort.
The two outside backs (sophomore Nicky Kit and freshman Jazmyne Avant) attack so much from the backline that they could often be mistaken as the sixth and seventh midfielders - Kit has two goals and two assists, and Avant has three assists on the season.
Despite possible confusion about their positions, Kit described herself and Avant as defenders who can attack more than midfielders who can defend.
But when Kit first arrived at UF, she was a striker who rarely played defense. She made the switch to defense to gain more playing time, and it was not a difficult transition for her.
"It is easier to learn to defend than it is to attack," Kit said. "I feel attacking is a natural-born ability."
Not everyone is supposed to move forward at the same time, but there are occasions when only the two center backs (juniors Caitlin Howard and Lauren Hyde) stand between a counterattack and UF's goalie.
UF coach Becky Burleigh said the two have good versatility that allows them to cover not just the middle but the outside as well, which helps when they are by themselves.
Even though the two are capable of defending a counter without much help, they are usually at fault when they're in that position.
"When (we are left by ourselves against a counter attack), the first thing I think of is, 'Oh, I did not call anybody back, and that's why this is happening,'" Hyde said. "Then, we drop as far as we can and hope someone gets back to help us, and when we need to make a stop, we have to."
To avoid these situations, it is important for the back defenders to communicate to others - usually the defensive midfielders (Ashlee Elliott, Liz Ruberry or Sarah Chapman) - to drop back when another defender presses forward.
The assumption that there will be someone to cover their spot if they attack requires trust, which is something the team has worked hard to build. But it does take time to develop that trust.
"I was hesitant a little bit freshman year in the fall, got a little stronger in the spring and it took me to the beginning of the (Southeastern Conference) to actually feel comfortable," Kit said.
Now that she is moving forward with more confidence, Kit has been more noticeable on the stat sheet, scoring both her goals in the last two weeks.
As a defender, she takes pride in making tough stops and contributing to a shutout, but she said scoring is still the best feeling.
Burleigh has no problem with her defenders being aggressive, but the captain of the defense, Hyde, might have an issue with Kit favoring scoring a goal over preventing one.
"I'm assuming (the outside backs) prefer (a shutout), too," Hyde said.
