Florida soccer released its 2021 schedule Tuesday ahead of its first season under new head coach Tony Amato.
The Gators kick off Aug. 12 in an exhibition game against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles in Alabama before coming back to compete against their in-state rivals, the South Florida Bulls, Aug. 19.
The team’s home opener at Donald R. Dizney Stadium takes place Aug. 22 versus Texas. All UF home games are free of charge to guests.
Four days later, the orange and blue look to defend the ‘Diz for a second time when they take on the UCF Knights. Florida closes out the month of August on the 29th versus the Miami Hurricanes.
The Gators travel to Tallahassee to battle the NCAA runner-up Florida State Sept. 2 before heading down to Fort Myers Sept. 5 to face the FGCU Eagles. They then look to wrangle a familiar foe in the North Carolina Tar Heels Sept. 9, who boasted the No. 2 ranking at the conclusion of the brief 2020 season.
UF opens up SEC play against the reigning conference champion Vanderbilt Sept. 17 in Nashville before encountering the UNF Ospreys on the 19th. Florida then nosedives back into conference action for an SEC streak. The Gators’ intraconference battles over the following few weeks include the Kentucky Wildcats Sept. 23, Mississippi State Bulldogs Sept. 26, Ole Miss Rebels Oct. 3 and the Tennessee Volunteers Oct. 7.
Amato’s new team laces up once more at home Oct. 10 versus Missouri before trekking to Auburn on the 17th. Florida-Georgia will take place shortly after in Athens on the 21st.
The Gators round out regular season play at home Oct. 24 and 28 against LSU and South Carolina, and the SEC Tournament begins Oct. 31 in Orange Beach, Alabama.
“The fall schedule provides a lot of great challenges and tests for us,” Amato said in a release from the UAA. “It will prepare us for SEC play that starts in September and we're excited to get it started.”
Contact Karina Wilson at kwilson@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @kk_rinaa.
Karina Wilson is a second-year student at the University of Florida within the College of Journalism and Communications with a specialization in sports and media. She aims to produce engaging, accurate and current content for all types of sports fans. Currently, Karina is The Alligator's lacrosse beat writer.
