Florida’s women’s soccer team delivered a stunning 3‑1 victory over No. 3 Florida State on Tuesday, snapping an eight‑game winless streak against the Seminoles and handing the defending national champions their first non‑conference loss since 2019.
The win marks the first time a new head coach has secured a signature win in his third game, as first‑year coach Nick Zimmerman celebrated a breakthrough that had eluded the program since 2015.
A Turning Point for a Young Squad
Transfer forward Kyra Taylor opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, striking fear into the Seminoles with a clinical finish, while redshirt senior goalkeeper Jayden Emmanuel produced a spectacular one‑on‑one save against Shaneil Buckley that kept the Gators’ lead intact.
Montelene Dymond sealed the upset with the game‑winning goal in the 78th minute, juking past FSU keeper Kate Ockene before slotting the ball into the net. Freshman Lael Hill, praised for her versatility, helped orchestrate the attack, a performance attended by NBA legend Grant Hill, her father.
Zimmerman, speaking after the match, described the win as "absolute" and emphasized the team’s belief and accountability, noting that the upset could serve as a catalyst for the program’s resurgence.
The victory lifts the Gators to 2‑1 early in the 2026 season and signals a cultural shift after years of offensive drought and a 5‑0 defeat to the Seminoles in 2021. The performance has already sparked optimism among fans and alumni.