Soccer defenders aren’t usually celebrated after a win as much as, say, the forwards or the midfielders. The defenders aren’t the ones scoring the goals; their jobs aren’t that glamorous.
Defenders do just that: They defend.
They do the dirty work and get the ball to the team’s goal scorers.
Florida has one of the best defenses in the Southeastern Conference. The seniority, experience and tenacity of its defenders is a big reason why it is the seventh-ranked team in the country and why its offense gets so many scoring opportunities.
Florida has scored 18 goals this year.
Its opponents have five.
The starting defensive backs for the Gators typically consist of senior Lauren Silver, junior Claire Falknor, senior Tessa Andujar and junior Christen Westphal.
Games are sometimes played with different numbers of defenders, and other players get substituted in and out of course, but Silver, Falknor, Andujar and Westphal have started all eight games this season.
The return of senior Karina Gutsche, who started every game at center defensive back last year and is coming off of an injury, doesn’t hurt either.
"It definitely helps to have experience all over the field, but especially in the back line," coach Becky Burleigh said, "where they’re having to think pessimistically in advance, like ‘what happens if we lose the ball, how do we handle that?’ and to have people who are experienced in those situations makes it much easier."
Burleigh knows the value of a strong defense and she doesn’t take her experienced defenders for granted.
She has compared when Lauren Silver is in the game to having another coach on the field.
When the defense is able to hold off the opponent’s attacks, steal the ball and maintain possession, it can turn into fast breaks and scoring opportunities for the offense.
Florida’s leader in assists this year is Andujar, who plays up the sideline and consistently serves balls in for the forwards and midfielders to have a chance to score.
Falknor is another one of those experienced defenders for Florida who makes a big impact.
She was one of only three players in Friday’s win over Alabama who played the full 90 minutes.
The other two were senior Taylor Burke, the goalkeeper, and sophomore Savannah Jordan, the team’s leading goal scorer.
"As defense, we start the offense," Falknor said. "Also, we have to make sure we communicate and stay organized in the back."
Falknor said she embraces the role on the team as communicator among the defensive unit and organizer of the defense’s positioning.
"As center back, it’s really important for communication, so I’d say communication is a big role of mine," Falknor said. "Since everything’s in front of me, I see a lot."
Burleigh had nothing but praise for her defense that has been so strong for the Gators thus far this season, Falknor in particular.
"I think we have three really great center backs, and we’ve utilized those sometimes, in the system we play," Burleigh said. "I think that Claire can attack out of the back, she becomes a dangerous weapon for us both defensively and offensively…she’s just been a big asset to us."
Follow Alex Maminakis on Twitter @AlexMaminakis
Claire Falknor dribbles the ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Miami on Aug. 22 at James G. Pressly Stadium.
