Gators Soccer Lands on SportsCenter’s Top 10 After Stunning FSU

SportsCenter’s top 10 recognized the magnitude of what took place on Sunday.

Up 2-0 against an in-state rival with momentum on their side, Florida senior forward Montelene Dymond sprinted past the Florida State center backs, knocking one to the ground. Then, with a head full of steam, Dymond dribbled past the goalie and shot the ball in the back of the Seminoles’ net, extending the score to 3-0 with 11 minutes left in the half.

Dymond’s play earned recognition on SportsCenter Top 10 plays Sunday as the third best play of the day. 

“She takes the touch, and then it felt like everything was in slow motion,” Gators coach Nick Zimmerman said. “You see it hit the net, and I think at that moment you’re like, ‘OK.'”

The goal put Florida up 3-0 en route to a 3-1 final — the Gators’ first win over FSU since 2015, and this time against a Florida State team that entered as the defending national champion while Florida itself was unranked.

The Gators, now riding high after beating a top-ranked team, embark on their fourth regular-season game with Zimmerman on Thursday against Jacksonville at Donald R. Dizney.

Prior to Sunday, the Gators notched their first win of the year Thursday against Coastal Carolina 3-2. A two-hour rain delay caused the Gators’ first season win at Dizney Stadium to come later than expected.

Zimmerman is no stranger to top-ranked upsets; before his time at Florida, he coached Mississippi State to three victories against top-10 opponents last season, including one against No. 1-ranked Tennessee.

Once the game concluded, he Gator-chomped to the crowd’s applause in a strong show of emotion before his players joined him to celebrate.

“It’s my hope that they had a great time and that the fans keep filling these stands,” Zimmerman said. “The atmosphere here is truly remarkable, and our gratitude is immense.”

Category: Gator Sports, Gators Soccer