UF Soccer & Volleyball

[ocalaman]

Both have started their seasons and the new soccer coach has his work cut out for him in rebuilding a program that is not only near the bottom of the SEC, but at best is #4 in the state of Florida. The Gators lost their opener 2-1 to #20 USF, then tied Texas 1-1, before losing to #19 UCF 2-0. They host Miami Sunday and then play national power FSU next Thursday. I watched the Texas game on SEC+ and it's clear that Florida has a lot of skilled players who can handle the ball. Their new goalkeeper is very good and they play solid defense. They simply lack scorers and as the new coach tries to implement his system that attacks the goal much more so than Becky Burleigh's possession-oriented style of play, it's obvious that we've got to recruit more talent than what's currently on the roster. The new coach, Tony Amato, has an impressive record and has turned 3 different programs around. But coming off our worst season in program history at 6-8-3 overall and 1-8-2 in the SEC, he's got his work cut out for him, even with 8 returning starters.
As for volleyball, Mary Wise has another very strong team, picked a close 2nd in the SEC behind defending national champ Kentucky and starting the season ranked #6 in the nation. They opened their season with a 3-0 domination of San Francisco in Sacramento, CA and play UC-Davis today at 1 pm, then Sacramento U at 10 pm tonight before finishing off their trip to California with a Tuesday night match vs. always strong Stanford. For those who haven't watched much D1 volleyball in the past, I highly recommend it. Fast-paced, exciting and quality athletes playing at a high level. Go Gators!!!

 

[PacoGator19]

I’ve played with Tony albeit a long long time ago. Good coach but he has his work cut out for him. Becky did great things for UF soccer but she should of left a few years ago. The program needs a lot of changes.

 

[ocalaman]

UF soccer, 0-3-1, lost at home Sunday to a terrible Miami team that only won 1 game last year. The final score was 1-0 in overtime, as most of the entire 2nd half was played near the Hurricane goal. But the Gators are just so anemic at getting off a decent shot on goal, they just squandered numerous scoring opportunities before giving up the game-winning goal with under 20 seconds left in the 1st overtime. It's possible this UF team won't win a match the entire season, as they next play #1 FSU, then go to Florida Gulf Coast, then host North Carolina before starting SEC play. They do have a game vs. North Florida mixed in with 10 SEC games, but it's looking like this is going to be a really bad year for Gator soccer.

 

[PacoGator19]

UF soccer, 0-3-1, lost at home Sunday to a terrible Miami team that only won 1 game last year. The final score was 1-0 in overtime, as most of the entire 2nd half was played near the Hurricane goal. But the Gators are just so anemic at getting off a decent shot on goal, they just squandered numerous scoring opportunities before giving up the game-winning goal with under 20 seconds left in the 1st overtime. It's possible this UF team won't win a match the entire season, as they next play #1 FSU, then go to Florida Gulf Coast, then host North Carolina before starting SEC play. They do have a game vs. North Florida mixed in with 10 SEC games, but it's looking like this is going to be a really bad year for Gator soccer.

Thank you Becky Burleigh for hanging around too long. She won a natty but she left the program a complete mess.

 

[ocalaman]

Gator soccer won't go winless at least. After losing 5-2 midweek to #1 FSU, Florida won 1-0 Sunday afternoon in the rain at Florida Gulf Coast. Their record stands at 1-4-1, with North Carolina up next. Going to be a tough year. Meanwhile the #5 Gator volleyball team went 3-1 on their West Coast season-opening road trip, beating San Francisco, UC-Davis & Sacramento St. before dropping a match at #20 Stanford 3-1. They had their home opener Sunday afternoon televised on ESPNU and beat #10 Minnesota 3-1 in a very exciting match. The Gophers had the best player on the floor, a senior All-American from Clermont, FL, but the Gators had more depth, with 4 players with double digit kills. They next host #9 Baylor for matches Friday night on the SECN and Saturday night on SEC+. Mary Wise has yet another contender, as she works towards her 31st consecutive NCAA tournament appearance and 25th SEC title.

 

[ocalaman]

UF soccer was humiliated at home tonight by North Carolina 7-1, dropping the Gators to 1-5-1.

 

[Countygator1]

UF soccer was humiliated at home tonight by North Carolina 7-1, dropping the Gators to 1-5-1.

Tough task rebuilding the program...

 

[LizardGrad89]

Tough task rebuilding the program...

I wouldn't think it is, really. As big a recruiting hotbed that Florida is for football, it's even bigger for women's soccer. There are a lot of high schools in this state that play at a very high level, and a lot of year round elite camps as well. The Tony Taylor soccer academy is just down the road from where I live, and there are at least a dozen others in Jacksonville. Orlando is a big soccer area, Tampa is a big soccer area, South Florida, I could go on. This state is loaded with elite players. Just need the new coach to go out and start bringing them in.

 

[PacoGator19]

I wouldn't think it is, really. As big a recruiting hotbed that Florida is for football, it's even bigger for women's soccer. There are a lot of high schools in this state that play at a very high level, and a lot of year round elite camps as well. The Tony Taylor soccer academy is just down the road from where I live, and there are at least a dozen others in Jacksonville. Orlando is a big soccer area, Tampa is a big soccer area, South Florida, I could go on. This state is loaded with elite players. Just need the new coach to go out and start bringing them in.

When it comes to soccer the recruiting happens through club soccer (MLS Next/ECNL, etc). Higher quality of soccer. College coaches don’t go to high school soccer games.

 

[ocalaman]

Whatever the reason, UF soccer has fallen badly the last several years. We used to rules the SEC and dominate the state. Now we're near the bottom of the conference and at best are the 4th or 5th best program in the state of Florida. FSU is now an elite national power, UCF is a Top 20 team every year, USF is 3rd and even lowly Miami beat us this year. In spite of her great achievements in building the Gator soccer program, she should have stepped down 3-4 years ago, IMO.

 

[PacoGator19]

Whatever the reason, UF soccer has fallen badly the last several years. We used to rules the SEC and dominate the state. Now we're near the bottom of the conference and at best are the 4th or 5th best program in the state of Florida. FSU is now an elite national power, UCF is a Top 20 team every year, USF is 3rd and even lowly Miami beat us this year. In spite of her great achievements in building the Gator soccer program, she should have stepped down 3-4 years ago, IMO.

Correct

 

[LizardGrad89]

When it comes to soccer the recruiting happens through club soccer (MLS Next/ECNL, etc). Higher quality of soccer. College coaches don’t go to high school soccer games.

Well, as I said, their are soccer academies all over the place.

Do you disagree that there is a ton of in-state talent for us to recruit?

 

[ocalaman]

UF volleyball is not living up to their #5 preseason ranking. They are now 4-3, have played 4 matches against 3 teams ranked below them in the Top 20 and lost 3. #20 Stanford took them down in California 3-1, we beat #10 Minnesota at home 3-1, but #17 Baylor beat them Friday night in Gainesville 3-1 in a very closely contested match and then blew them out Saturday night 3-0 in sets that weren't even close. Their next match is Wednesday night at FSU on the ACC Network at 6 pm.

 

[PacoGator19]

Well, as I said, their are soccer academies all over the place.

Do you disagree that there is a ton of in-state talent for us to recruit?

Yes there is a good amount of in-state talent for sure.

 

[ocalaman]

UF volleyball is now 7-4 after winning their 1st SEC match 3-2 at home against Mississippi State 9/23. They play again Friday. The Gators have dropped from #5 to #17 in the national rankings and are simply not playing well. I don't know if Covid has hit the team, injuries are an issue or if they just aren't playing up to their potential. But they have not 4 matches to teams they should have beaten and not looked that good in most of their wins. Friday's match is at 7 on the SECN and next Wednesday's match is in Athens, GA at 7 pm on ESPNU. Let's hope Mary Wise can get her team playing better. This is a team that should be in the hunt not only for an SEC title, but a national title.

Meanwhile, the soccer team is playing better, especially on defense. They are now 2-5-3, 1-0-1 in the SEC. After getting thumped 9/9 by #2 North Carolina 7-1, the Gators have played Vanderbilt and North Florida to 0-0 double overtime ties and then tonight beat Kentucky 1-0 in the first overtime. This team is not going to be in contention for any titles, but their new coach at least having them playing excellent defense. He just needs to go out and find some girls who can score to bring in next year.