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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Freshman Solaun providing big spark off bench for No. 13 Florida

<p>Florida midfielder Havana Solaun is the Gators’ third-leading scoring with 16 points this season despite starting just two games.</p>

Florida midfielder Havana Solaun is the Gators’ third-leading scoring with 16 points this season despite starting just two games.

Since her first game as a Gator, Havana Solaun has shown a knack for finding the back of the net and helping her teammates do the same.

With five goals and six assists on the season, Solaun’s 16 points are good for third on the team behind junior Erika Tymrak (27 points) and fellow freshman Annie Speese (19).  The difference between Solaun and the Gators’ top two scorers is that she has done most of her damage this season as a reserve.

So as No. 13 Florida (13-4, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) looks to rebound from Sunday’s loss to Mississippi State when it takes on Arkansas (4-11, 2-6 SEC) tonight at 8 in Fayetteville, Ark., coach Becky Burleigh will turn to the bench whenever she wants an offensive boost from the freshman midfielder.

Burleigh said that Solaun, a four-year starter during her time at Buchholz High, brings a different dimension to the Gators as a substitute because she has great vision and does not panic under pressure.

Burleigh said Solaun is just as talented offensively as any player she subs in for. She is most effective after the first group of attacking players has worn down the opposition’s starters. They are not prepared to handle a player with fresh legs and her skill set.

“When she does come in off the bench, that is really a threat for us,” Burleigh said.

“If I was an opposing coach, I would be like, ‘Shoot, I hope they don’t sub,’ but when she comes in she makes an immediate impact.”

Solaun’s first goal came during her first minutes of the season, as Florida defeated Miami 2-0 in the opener on Aug. 19.

In the Gators’ third game of the year, a 3-2 win against Texas A&M, Solaun subbed in for McKenzie Barney in the 22nd minute and assisted on a Tymrak goal three minutes later. She had her first multi-goal game when she scored both goals in a 2-0 win against Ole Miss last Friday.

The strategy of coming off the bench has worked better for Solaun than any other player in the conference. Her two starts are the least out of any SEC player among the top three scorers on her respective team. The next lowest is Vanderbilt’s Elizabeth Lillie’s five starts, but she only has four points. 

Solaun said having the opportunity to analyze the opponent’s playing style before coming in the game is an advantage to playing a relief role.

“I just try to keep the same level of play as the starters,” Solaun said. “I try to play quick and not make it seem any different.”

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Tymrak said when Solaun enters a game, she does more than just fit in with the starters.

“Not only can she keep the level up but she can increase it as well,” Tymrak said. 

“When I see her coming on the field I know that I got to step it up because she is coming in harder than anyone else.”

Florida midfielder Havana Solaun is the Gators’ third-leading scoring with 16 points this season despite starting just two games.

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