On a night when U.S. women’s national team stars and former Gators Abby Wambach and Heather Mitts were in attendance, it was a current UF player with international aspirations who stole the show.
No. 13 Florida (4-1-0) defeated Texas Tech (3-2-0) on Friday night 3-0 in its home opener, as junior forward Erika Tymrak gave the opposition fits with two goals and an assist.
The Gators would get their first goal against the Red Raiders’ defense in the 33rd minute after Tymrak dumped the ball off to freshman forward Tessa Andujar at the top of the box. Andujar gave it right back to Tymrak who perfectly placed a shot in the top left corner of the net from 20 yards out for her second goal of the season.
“We try and work on give and go’s in practice a lot,” Tymrak said. “Tessa held it up perfectly, gave it right back and I just saw the opening [in the left corner] and nailed it.”
Even a lone score would've proved enough offense for UF, as freshman keeper Taylor Burke received her second start and clean sheet of her young career.
The Gators’ defense protected Burke for most of the match and allowed the Red Raiders just seven shots, only four of which were on goal.
“As a defense, we played pretty well for a team,” said redshirt junior defender Kat Williamson. “I think coming off the two-goal loss to UCLA, we really needed to work on some things, supporting each other, and I think overall we did a really good job at that.”
Texas Tech nearly tied the game up in the 37th minute as Burke came too far out of the net in an attempt to block a shot. Red Raiders midfielder Taylor Lytle got the rebound, and shot it at a keeperless Gators’ net, but Williamson was able to block the shot and preserve the lead.
“Kat’s good at that,” said UF coach Becky Burleigh. “It was a good read. We’ve done that several times this season, and I think that’s team defending.”
Tymrak would strike again 11 minutes into the second half. After a Red Raiders turnover near midfield, she received a pass and dribbled the ball all the way into their box and passed the ball to sophomore Taylor Travis, who buried it in the left corner from 10 yards out.
In the 67th minute, Tymrak again added to her brilliant performance when she buried a cross from defender Jazmyne Avant from five yards out on the right side of the net.
Tymrak took advantage of nearly every opportunity given to her, finishing with two scores on just three shots in 64 minutes on the pitch.
Mitts and Wambach addressed the team before the game and stayed late after to sign autographs for fans.
Tymrak, who has played on the U.S. U23 women’s national team, said it meant a lot to have a strong performance with Wambach looking on.
“She represents our school,” Tymrak said. “She is an amazing player, she left a legacy here and I was just proud I could have a good game and represent her well.”
