GAINESVILLE — New Florida women’s soccer coach Nick Zimmerman wasted little time signaling better days are ahead — much sooner than anyone expected.
Zimmerman’s Gators started what they hope is a new era at the expense of No. 3 Florida State, dominating the defending national champion Seminoles in a 3-1 decision Sunday.
“Every win is good for us. Every single win,” redshirt senior goalkeeper Jayden Emmanuel said. “Obviously just a little bit sweeter when it’s FSU.”
It was Florida’s first win against its in-state rival since a 2015 upset of then-No. 1 FSU and came in Zimmerman’s third match leading the Gators since he arrived from Mississippi State.
“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.”
Losers of eight straight in the series, the Gators (2-1) ended a 36-game nonconference unbeaten streak for the Seminoles (3-1) with superior energy and physicality as a reported 1,653 fans at Dizney Stadium looked on during a hot, humid afternoon in Gainesville.
Among those in the record crowd was former Orlando Magic star Grant Hill, whose daughter Lael is a true freshman defender from Windermere for the Gators and a product of Lake Highland Prep.
A two-time national champion at Duke and seven-time NBA All-Star, Hill celebrated with players’ parents as their daughters hugged and jumped up and down at the field’s south end.
“You’re not just beating the team; you’re beating the legacy,” Hill said. “It’s a statement game in a lot of ways.”
The Gators have struggled to find a positive direction ever since Becky Burleigh retired in 2020 with her program in decline after more than two decades of success, highlighted by the 1998 national championship featuring Abby Wambach and Heather Mitts.
Zimmerman is the Gators’ third coach since then.
A one-year stint by former Stetson coach Tony Amato ended in 2022 because of concerns about his approach with players. Samantha Bohon’s four subsequent seasons produced a 5-23-12 record in SEC play and four losses to FSU by a combined 14-0, including a 5-0 loss in 2025.
“You think back to the standard of what you know Florida soccer was,” Zimmerman said. “To see the joy and the love and the fans, and just how much it means … to the players. They’re putting in a ton of work.
“Just really happy for them.”
The Gators opened 2026 with a 4-3 loss at UCF filled with missed opportunities, but rebounded to beat Coastal Carolina 3-2.
After managing just one goal through three games in 2025, the Gators’ attack appears on sound footing with senior forwards Kyra Taylor and Zoe Main.
The two Mississippi State transfers led the Gators’ offense against the Seminoles.
A corner kick by Main led to a header from freshman Mia Gray to Taylor’s right foot for an easy tap-in and a 1-0 lead. Main later made a run down the right side and found Taylor with a cross in front of the goal that she finished with her left foot for a 2-0 advantage in the 61st minute.
Taylor has quickly assumed a leadership role, with her coach using her as an example of expectations.
“The goals that she scores, the work rate, just everything about her … we highlighted her in front of the team — that’s the standard,” Zimmerman said. “When you ask what does a Florida soccer player look like, you just point to her.”
The Gators added their third goal in the 79th minute. Tatum Bornum won the ball just inside Florida’s half and played it into space for Montelene Dymond. The senior carried the ball through the Seminoles’ half, beat the goalkeeper to slot home her first goal as a Gator.
Florida State got on the board in the 83rd minute. Ryder Ajeto’s first touch in the box was deflected by a Florida defender, but Ajeto followed the ball and scored from eight yards to produce the final 3-1 margin.
Emmanuel, now in her fifth season, shined during her first start in goal this season.
With Florida leading 1-0, she faced a one-on-one with FSU attacker Shaniel Buckley but denied her by diving to the right to make the save.
“My mind was kind of blank,” she said. “I kind of hit flow state a little bit there.”
After Sunday’s win, Emmanuel is confident the Gators have found themselves under Zimmerman.
“It’s who we are,” she said. “Just keep watching.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
