A night of offensive fireworks
On August 13, 2026, the University of Florida women's soccer squad turned a routine preseason exhibition into a showcase of offensive versatility, routing Florida International 7-1 at a venue in Gainesville. The win marked the first of several tune‑ups before the team’s season opener against UCF later that week.
From the opening whistle, Florida pressed forward, with Skye Barnes opening the scoring in the 23rd minute. Just three minutes later Zoe Main doubled the lead, and the onslaught continued as Lena Bailey, Mia Gray and Kyra Taylor each found the net before halftime, turning a modest early advantage into a decisive first‑half cushion.
Freshman Iori Watanabe added the sixth goal in the 64th minute, finishing a cross from Main, while Addy Hess capped the scoring in the 72nd minute. Florida International managed a solitary response when Mariana Barreto struck in the 67th minute, but the damage had already been done.
Head coach Jonathan Garbar praised the collective effort, emphasizing that the team’s depth, adaptability and confidence were the cornerstones of the performance. "We have a group that can score from anywhere on the field," he said, noting that the variety of goal‑scorers reflects a balanced attack that will be vital as the schedule intensifies.
The upcoming Thursday matchup against UCF will be the fourth time in program history that Florida opens its season against the Knights. Florida holds a 14‑8‑2 edge in the all‑time series, though UCF captured the most recent encounter in 2025, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest.