Florida Soccer’s Freshmen Make Mark in Zimmerman’s First Season
Florida soccer’s future is taking shape on the field. Just 16 matches into coach Nick Zimmerman’s first season, the Gators’ eight freshmen are doing more than adjusting to college competition — they’re earning starting roles and helping deliver some of the program’s biggest victories.
As part of a roster transformation that brought 18 newcomers to Gainesville, the freshman class has combined for three goals and six assists.
Several have already become regular contributors, playing important roles in victories against nationally ranked opponents while laying the foundation for Florida’s next chapter under Zimmerman.
Freshman midfielder Mia Gray has emerged as one of the most consistent members of the class. The Rochester, New York, native has appeared in all 16 matches, starting 15 and logging 1,119 minutes, the most among Florida’s first-year players.
Gray has recorded three assists, tied for third on the team, including one of the most significant contributions of Florida’s season. In the 3-1 victory against then-No. 3 Florida State, her corner kick found Kyra Taylor, who headed home one of her two goals against the reigning national champions.
Her other assists came against Coastal Carolina and Youngstown State, helping establish her as a reliable contributor to Florida’s attack.
Gray arrived in Gainesville with an impressive résumé. She was the 2025 United Soccer Coaches High School All-American, she finished her career at Byron-Bergen High School as the program’s all-time leader in goals (186) and assists (126).
Another freshman making a significant impact is defender Lael Hill, who has become a regular presence at center back.
The defender has started 11 of her 14 appearances and played 1,019 minutes, including every minute of five of Florida’s last nine matches. Her contributions have extended beyond defense.
Hill scored her first collegiate goal in Florida’s 5-2 victory at Texas A&M on Sept. 27. In the 13th minute, she connected on a header at the far post after Kelsey Smith redirected Zoe Main’s corner kick, opening the scoring in Florida’s first SEC win of the season.
Less than two weeks later, Hill delivered another decisive contribution against No. 5 Alabama. With fewer than two minutes remaining, she launched a long pass from outside Florida’s penalty area into open space for Lena Bailey. The senior chased it down and finished in the 89th minute to secure Florida’s 1-0 victory.
Hill’s transition to a defensive role has also demonstrated her versatility. Following Florida’s victory against Florida State, Zimmerman praised her ability to adjust to different positions.
“She’s kind of like a chameleon, right?” Zimmerman said, emphasizing her willingness to play wherever the team needs her.
Hill comes from an accomplished athletic family. Her father, Grant Hill, is a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, former NBA star and longtime TV analyst, while her mother, Tamia, is a Grammy-nominated singer. However, the freshman is building her own identity on Florida’s back line.
Alongside Hill, Carlota Martins has become another important young defender in Zimmerman’s rotation.
The first Spaniard in the Gators’ program history arrived with a different soccer background than most college freshmen. Martins spent eight years in FC Barcelona’s development system, including the last two seasons with Barcelona C, and represented Spain at the U-15, U-16 and U-17 youth national team levels.
During the 2025-26 season with Barcelona C, she appeared in 23 matches and played the entirety of 14 at left back.
That international experience has begun to translate into opportunities at Florida. Martins has appeared in 13 matches, totaling 658 minutes and started each of the Gators’ last seven contests. She has also played the full 90 minutes in each of Florida’s last two games against Arkansas and Auburn.
She recorded her first collegiate assist against Texas A&M, setting up Taylor’s second goal in the 54th minute to extend Florida’s lead to 5-0.
Following Florida’s victory against Alabama, Zimmerman praised the composure and technical awareness Martins has brought to the back line as her playing time continues to increase.
“Calmness, composure. She’s really good on the ball,” Zimmerman said. “She’s smart, you saw her intuition when we were building plays. She was an outlet. She was high up the field. She’s smart in her tackles.”
Martins’ growing responsibilities reflect the trust she has earned in Zimmerman’s system, with her ability to contribute defensively while providing an option in possession adding another dimension to Florida’s back line.
Courtney Hogan has also provided versatility in her first collegiate season. Although listed as a midfielder, the California native has primarily contributed as an outside back, making seven starts across 16 appearances and totaling 683 minutes.
Hogan recorded her first collegiate assist in Florida’s 2-1 loss to LSU on Oct. 2, supplying the ball that Main finished in the 22nd minute.
Her willingness to contribute defensively fits the qualities Zimmerman emphasized when Florida announced her signing. He praised her confidence in possession and work rate, describing her as a player who exemplified the standards he wanted to establish within the program.
Florida’s freshman class also includes another international addition with Japanese midfielder Iori Watanabe, whose attacking presence has given the Gators another option in possession.
Watanabe has made eight starts in 15 appearances, recording 650 minutes. She has attempted 15 shots, placing nine on target for a 60% shots-on-goal rate.
Watanabe scored her first collegiate goal in the Gators 6-0 victory against Jacksonville on Aug. 27. After Main’s attempt from distance deflected off two defenders, Watanabe collected the loose ball and finished from eight yards in the 56th minute.
She also represented Japan at the U-16 level before arriving in Gainesville, bringing additional international experience to a roster assembled from different programs and playing backgrounds.
The remaining freshmen have seen limited playing time, but arrived with promising credentials.
Nylah Norris, a versatile midfielder and defender from St. Cloud, has appeared in five matches for 67 minutes.
Norris has been involved with U.S. youth national teams since the U-15 level and competed with the combined U-18 and U-19 national teams during an international trip to Portugal in 2025.
Before college, she recorded 37 goals and 42 assists in 30 matches with the Home School Athletic Association.
Soccer also runs in the Norris family. Her older brother, Nolan, plays for FC Dallas, and all six Norris siblings have participated in the sport.
Addison Dean, a defender from San Diego, completed high school a year early to begin her collegiate career. A member of San Diego Surf’s 2024 ECNL U-15 national championship team, Dean has appeared in two matches for Florida, totaling 22 minutes.
Conamora Ndana has played 14 minutes in one appearance. The defender was ranked No. 54 in TopDrawerSoccer’s 2026 signing class, Ndana also competed in high school football, basketball, and track and field.
She scored 78 points as an extra-point kicker for Warren Mott High School across three seasons.
Florida’s freshmen represent different stages of development. Some are already trusted starters, while others continue competing for opportunities in a rotation shaped by experienced transfers.
Florida (6-6-4, 2-4-3 SEC) plays Georgia (6-5-5, 3-3-3) at 1 p.m. Sunday (SEC Network+) at Donald R. Dizney Stadium in the final regular-season match. A win or tie against the Bulldogs would clinch the Gators’ league tournament berth in Pensacola starting Nov. 8. The Gators could also advance with a loss depending on the results of matches involving LSU, Tennessee and Missouri.
As the Gators look to finish SEC play on a high note, their freshmen have already shown they can make an impact beyond their first season, offering a glimpse of the program’s future under Zimmerman.
Category: Gator Sports, Gators Soccer, SEC, Soccer
