The Gators suffered their first loss of the season to Florida State Sunday, losing 3-0 to the reigning national champions. But, this game was more about experimenting with tactics and trying new styles of play against a very good team before SEC play.
“I love being tactically versatile. That is one identity of our program, so we aren’t afraid to change if the game calls for something different and mix and match our strengths,” said Florida coach Samantha Bohon.
The Gators played with the 3-5-2 formation for the first time this season. This formation allows the Gators to transition into many other formations like the 4-3-3 or even a 5-3-2 depending on the circumstances of the game. For example, if the Gators wanted to play more defensive they can transition to a 5-3-2 which allows or more defensive width and greater coverage of the field. If they want to be more aggressive they can transition into a 4-3-3 or even a 4-1-2-1-2 which allows for more passing lanes and link up play.
Experimenting a new formation against a team like FSU can bring its difficulties. Especially in a 3-5-2 where you have to play a high-defensive line, the Seminoles knew that they had to apply pressure and get runs in behind the Florida defense if they want to score.
After a period of constant pressure, the Seminoles forced Florida to turn the ball over in their defensive half. Peyton McGovern collects possession for the Seminoles and played a pass to Taylor Huff inside the 18-yard box. Huff took a touch to her left to set up a strike and put her laces through the ball and beat Alexa Goldberg to give the Seminoles the lead.
Despite the pressure, Florida remained defensively strong for the remainder of the half. They were constantly switching between a 5-3-2 on defense and a 3-5-2 when counter attacking. It was a fresh look from the Gators and it was giving the Seminoles a tough time late in the first half. The Gators found two shots within a minute by McClure and Tauzel that made the FSU keeper work.
The Gators and Seminoles both finished the half with a few more possessions. The referee blew his whistle for halftime. The Seminoles led 1-0 going into half but the Gators seemed confident going into the second half.
The Gators started off the second half with a sensational demonstration in pressure, passing, and counter attacking. They stayed in the 3-5-2 and transitioned to the 4-3-3 when they gained possession. Florida was playing better, tactically, for the first 10 minutes of the second half. But, there’s a reason why the Seminoles are national champions.
Within five minutes, FSU had two one-on-one opportunities. In what seemed like Florida’s greatest period of play, turned into a quick reminder of how quick a counter attack can happen. Fortunately for the Gators, both opportunities didn’t result in a goal as one shot went high and the other hit the post. Despite the unlucky chances, FSU wasn’t finished.
In a flash, the Seminoles gained possession and flew down the field. They were connecting passes so easily and taking touches so articulately that the Gator defenders couldn’t stop them. A lethal through ball by Ran Iwai found Wrianna Hudson and allowed her to be one-on-one with the keeper. Hudson finished her chance convincingly and doubled the Seminole’s lead.
From this point, it was all FSU. They settled into their game and were passing around the Gators. The Gators took this time to keep experimenting with formation converting and with different players. Vera Blom, notably, was playing a crucial role that rotated between a left-winger and left-center midfielder and she was the Gators’ engine that kept pushing for a goal.
“She’s just a competitor,” said Bohon.
With 10 minutes left in the half, the Seminoles found another opportunity. Another pass behind the defense allowed the Seminoles to apply pressure in the 18-yard-box. Hudson finds Kameron Simmonds with a cut back pass and Simmonds finished clinically by placing the ball in the left side of the net.
The Seminoles controlled possession for majority of the time remaining. The referee blew his whistle as the ball flew across the overcast Gainesville sky. The match ended 3-0 in favor of FSU.
The Gators didn’t get the result they wanted in the end, but this game provided Bohon with more of a tactical understanding of her team before the gauntlet of the SEC. The Gators looked good for the majority of the match and brought a good fight that made FSU uncomfortable at some points.
On Thursday, September 12, the Gators face off against Kennesaw State at home. A game where the Gators can bounce back and find a new wave of momentum. It will be interesting to see if Bohon sticks with the new tactics.
ChompTalk.com 
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