Two Florida Soccer Players Earn SEC Player of the Week Honors

Two Florida soccer players earned SEC Player of the Week accolades on Monday. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Jayden Emmanuel was crowned SEC Defensive Player of the Week, while senior forward Kyra Taylor earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week.

Both Taylor and Emmanuel were instrumental in Florida’s 3-1 upset of No. 3 Florida State on Sunday. Emmanuel logged four saves during her first start of the season, including a key save on a one-on-one faceoff in the first half. Taylor helped out on the attacking side, logging a brace to put the Gators up by two for most of the second half.

Taylor also logged a brace earlier in the week in Florida’s home opener, leading the Gators to a 3-2 win. With four goals across three games, Taylor matched her total number of goals made last season during her time at Mississippi State.

Taylor credited her success on Sunday with the work that the entire team has put in over the last month.

“It just feels really good to be able to come out here and just show everything that we’ve been working on this whole week and since preseason,” Taylor said postgame. “Every single thing was displayed today, so it just feels really good to see that come to life.”

Taylor and Emmanuel are both first-time honorees of SEC Player of the Week.

Florida looks to keep the momentum going against another in-state rival this week. Kickoff for Florida’s matchup with Jacksonville is set for 6 p.m. at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Category: Gator Sports, Gators Soccer