Gator Watch
AS WE TRUDGE THROUGH the heat of the summer, a Gator fan’s thoughts undoubtedly turn to the upcoming football season. But while we’re counting the days to the first kickoff, there’s another team gearing up for their opening day – the Gator soccer team.
Florida soccer got its start here in Gainesville in 1995, when coach Becky Burleigh arrived to start another winning tradition. In the 11 years since that inaugural season, the Gators have posted nine NCAA tournament berths, seven SEC Tournament titles (including a five-year winning streak), a 77 percent winning percentage and a national championship win in 1998.
That’s an impressive list of accomplishments for such a young program. And the 2006 squad has no plans to let up. With top-notch returning talent and an abundance of new players, the stage is set for more success.
“We have a good group of seniors returning, all of whom show good leadership,” Burleigh said.
These seniors include defenders Kelli Eisenbrown, Ansley Myrick and Amber Presnick; goalkeeper Brittni Goodwin; and midfielder Ananda Erickson. They will be expected to step up even more with the absence of NCSAA All-America first-team selection Melanie Booth. The senior forward/ defender will redshirt this season due to her commitment to the Canadian National Team; however, she will play for Florida in 2007.
The good leadership from these seniors will come in handy, thanks to a large and varied recruiting class. In March, Burleigh announced 10 incoming freshman to the Gator soccer family. Among this elite group is Ashley Elliott, a member of the Slammers club out of California that won the national championship last year. Burleigh described Elliott as a center-midfielder or forward with a frame along the lines of legendary Gator Danielle Fotopoulos or Abby Wambach. Angela Napolitano, a forward from Cincinnati, Ohio, is a 2005 National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas High School All-America selection. Katie Fraine, a goaltender from Titusville, is expected to compete early for playing time.
“We really wanted to bring in a bigtime goalkeeper this year, and we feel like we have that,” Burleigh said.
Overall, Burleigh is pleased with the breadth and quality of her 2006 class and has high expectations for them.
“We feel like we have one of the most talented recruiting classes coming in that we’ve had in awhile,” she said. “We think that there are going to be quite a few of these players that will step right in and make an immediate impact for us. Most of them have been committed for almost over a year, so we’ve had a chance to see them play pretty regularly after they committed.”
These freshmen will be joined by three outstanding transfers. Erin Davis has come to Florida after a semester with Texas, while Shelley Lyle has transferred from Virginia Commonwealth. Both players enrolled in spring classes this past January. Stacy Bishop, who transferred last year from Louisiana State University but sat out the 2005 season per NCAA regulations, will also be ready to play this season. Bishop has made quite an impression on Burleigh.
“We felt like she was one of our best players last year – in practice, because she couldn’t play any games,” she said. “So we’re really excited now to have her actually playing for us.”
Aside from recruiting, there is still more change in store. In June, the Gator sports family welcomed new assistant coach Alan Kirkup. A demonstrated leader in NCAA-career coaching wins and former player for the Manchester United team in Great Britain, Kirkup’s lifetime head-coaching record of 224- 137-19 ties him for 16th on the NCAA list of all-time winning coaches. Kirkup replaces Danielle Fotopoulos, a former Gator standout who has joined the U.S. Women’s National Team for a sixmonth residency.
Kirkup worked as a graduate assistant at Eastern Illinois before moving to Southern Methodist University, where he was an assistant coach for the men’s soccer team. He began coaching the women’s team there in 1986 while simultaneously working as the assistant for the men’s squad. From SMU, he went to head-coaching positions in Maryland and then Arkansas. As a head coach, he has taken his teams to a total of 10 NCAA tournaments. “Alan knows so much about the game, and his tactical knowledge is certainly one of the best I’ve encountered,” Burleigh said. “He’s got a ton of experience and it’s nice to have another head coach on the staff.”
With all that’s new, one thing is sure to be the same from year to year – the winning tradition that has been established in such a short time. G
The Gator Soccer season opener is on Friday, August 25 at James G. Pressly Stadium against defending NCAA champion Portland. For ticket information, call the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683.