A Night of Upsets in Gainesville
On August 23, 2026, the Florida Gators traveled to Donald R. Dizney Stadium in Gainesville to face the third‑ranked Florida State Seminoles. The final score read 3‑1 in favor of Florida, marking a stunning upset that reverberated through college soccer circles.
The victory secured Florida’s first win over a top‑ten opponent since August 2017, when they defeated Stanford, and it was also the first time the Gators had beaten a defending NCAA champion since the 2015 championship game. The result snapped a 13‑match unbeaten streak that the Seminoles had carried into the contest.
Kyra Taylor was the offensive catalyst, netting a brace that lifted her to six career multi‑goal performances and ending a stretch of games without consecutive two‑goal matches that dated back to her freshman season at Louisiana Tech.
Head coach Nick Zimmerman, in his second year at the helm, recorded his fourth win against a top‑ten opponent, joining victories over Tennessee, Arkansas and Wake Forest on his résumé. His tactical adjustments in the second half proved decisive.
The match also set a new attendance record for the stadium, with 1,632 fans packing the stands, underscoring the growing interest in the program.
Between the offensive outburst and the defensive heroics of goalkeeper Jayden Emmanuel, who made her first start of the season and produced several key saves, Florida’s balanced attack kept the Seminoles at bay.
Florida State entered the game fresh off a 4‑1 quarterfinal win over Ohio State, but the early goal they conceded forced them out of their comfort zone and ultimately cost them the unbeaten run.
With the win, the Gators look to build momentum as they head into the remainder of the schedule, while the Seminoles will need to regroup quickly to preserve their standing.
Record Crowd at Dizney Stadium
The 1,632 spectators in attendance marked a historic high for the venue, reflecting the growing excitement around Florida’s soccer resurgence.