Despite two hour-long weather delays, the Gators and Seminoles were ready to kick off the 2025 regular season in Tallahassee.
But, it was the defending ACC champions that took the victory. After going undefeated in preseason play, Florida (0-1) dropped its season-opener to the No. 3 Seminoles (1-0) 5-0 at Seminole Soccer Complex Thursday.
The Seminoles were the aggressors early, getting the first two shot attempts of the match just 12 minutes in. However, FSU junior forward Jordynn Dudley and sophomore midfielder Taylor Suarez couldn’t finish. Dudley missed out left and Taylor missed over the top.
The Gators responded with two corner kick opportunities, but it resulted in only one shot attempt by sophomore defender Skye Barnes, which missed.
At the 33 minute mark, the Seminoles were back on the attack. Two corner attempts culminated in a score from senior defender Heather Gilchrist to give Florida State the 1-0 lead. Sophomore midfielder Lara Dantas recorded the assist.
After the second rain delay, Florida redshirt sophomore midfielder Brinley Murphy drew a yellow card just two minutes after play resumed. Florida State took advantage, and Gilchrist scored for the second time at the 39 minute mark with senior midfielder Enasia Colon getting the assist.
The Seminoles got another shot attempt at the 40 minute mark, but sophomore forward Wrianna Hudson’s shot to the bottom corner was saved by redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Paloma Peña.
Hudson needed just one more attempt to find the back of the net, with Colon recording her second assist to make it a three-goal match.
The Gators had a chance at the end of the first period, but junior forward Lena Bailey scratched the top of the woodwork. The Seminoles entered halftime with a 3-0 lead.
The aggression continued for Florida State, as it got five of the first six total shot attempts in the first fourteen minutes of the second period. Four came from Hudson and one from Dudley.
Seminoles redshirt junior forward Tatum O’Coyne shot bottom center of the net, but it was saved by redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Addie Todd.
Just five minutes later, FSU junior midfielder Yuna McCormack scored, extending the Seminoles’ lead to four goals at just the 64 minute mark. Seven shot attempts later and FSU scored again — this time off the foot of redshirt sophomore midfielder Peyton Nourse to make it a 5-0 match.
Florida State held on for the five-goal victory, outshooting Florida 26-7.
The Gators are back in action against Towson at 7 p.m. Thursday in their home opener at Donald R. Dinzey stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Contact Adrian Carmona at acarmona@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @abcarmona04.
Adrian Carmona is a third-year journalism major and the Summer 2025 baseball reporter. In his spare time, he enjoys completing Sporcle quizzes and ranting about Miami sports.
