Florida Soccer Stuns Reigning NCAA Champion FSU
The Florida soccer team delivered the first statement victory of the Nick Zimmerman era Sunday by defeating reigning national champion Florida State 3-1 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
In just Zimmerman’s third match as UF coach, the Gators (2-1) ended an eight-match losing streak in the series and defeated the No. 3 Seminoles (3-1) for the first time since Aug. 30, 2015.
The two-goal margin also marked Florida’s largest victory against its rival since a 2-0 win on Sept. 5, 2003.
“This is a huge, huge win for our program, for our organization,” Zimmerman said. “We’re going to celebrate, we’re going to enjoy it, and then we’re going to get back to work because it’s just the next game.”
The result carried national significance, too. The Gators snapped Florida State’s 36-match unbeaten streak in regular-season nonconference play, a run that dated to the middle of the 2019 season.
Kyra Taylor helped end FSU’s 13-game unbeaten streak by scoring two goals and Montelene Dymond made it 3-0 in the 79th minute.
Florida established its approach immediately with a high press and quick transitions. Tatum Borman produced the Gators’ first attempt on goal in the sixth minute after a counterattack.
Four minutes later, Taylor forced Florida State goalkeeper Kate Ockene into an outstanding save.
The opening 15 minutes were physical, with the teams combining for six fouls. Still, Florida continued to find openings. Sophia Sindelar slipped a pass through the Seminoles’ back line to Zoe Main in the 21st minute, but the Seminoles goalie Kate Ockene stopped Main’s shot.
Florida broke through moments later. Freshman Mia Gray delivered a corner into the box, and Taylor headed it home in the 21st minute to put the Gators in front. It was Florida’s first goal against the Seminoles since a 5-2 loss on Sept. 2, 2021.
The lead survived due to Gators goalie Jayden Emmanuel. Less than two minutes after Taylor’s opener, Florida State’s Shaneil Buckley broke behind the defense for a one-on-one chance. Emmanuel held her ground and denied Buckley’s low shot with a reaction save.
“Honestly, I think my mind was kind of blank,” Emmanuel said. “When I saw her take that big touch in the box, I was like, ‘Now.’ … It was just my instinct.”
The Gators entered halftime with a 1-0 lead after outshooting Florida State 7-4. The Seminoles committed eight of the half’s 12 fouls as Florida repeatedly won duels and disrupted their buildup.
Florida State opened the second half with more possession and a higher press, but the Gators defense absorbed the pressure.
Emmanuel made another save on Nyanya Touray in the 56th minute before the Gators found space going the other way on the counter.
In the 62nd minute, Main passed to Taylor in the left side of the penalty area. Taylor finished with her left foot into the bottom-right corner to double Florida’s advantage.
The goal completed Taylor’s second consecutive brace after she also scored twice in Florida’s 3-2 win against Coastal Carolina on Thursday.
Her four goals through three matches already equal the total she recorded across 20 appearances for Mississippi State in 2025.
“Obviously, I couldn’t have done it by myself,” Taylor said. “My teammates are a big part of that. Without them, I’m not here.”
Florida put the match away with another counterattack at 78th minute when Borman released Dymond, who calmly rounded the Seminoles goalkeeper and rolled the ball into an open net for her first goal as a Gator.
“She takes the touch, and then it felt like everything was in slow motion,” Zimmerman said. “You see it hit the net, and I think at that moment you’re like, ‘OK.’”
Freshman Ryder Ajeto pulled one back for the Seminoles in the 83rd minute, but Florida closed out the final minutes without allowing last season’s champions any closer.
The Gators finished with a 14-8 advantage in shots and an 8-5 edge in shots on goal, while Emmanuel made four saves in her first start of the season.
The afternoon also produced a Dizney Stadium soccer attendance record at 1,632, surpassing the previous mark of 1,412 set during Florida’s win vs. Texas on Oct. 4, 2024.
“Hopefully they enjoyed it. Hopefully we continue to pack this place,” Zimmerman said. “This is a special place, and we’re beyond grateful.”
Florida returns to Dizney Stadium at 6 p.m. Thursday to face Jacksonville (1-0-1). Coverage is on SEC Network+ and ESPN 98.1-FM/850-AM WRUF.
Category: Feature Sports News, Gator Sports, Gators Soccer, University of Florida
