Following its historic victory over Florida State on Sunday, all eyes across the college soccer world turned to Florida. Being ranked for the first time since 2019 comes with pressure, but the Gators showed no signs of a hangover Thursday night.
Florida (3-1) dominated Jacksonville University (1-1-1) 6-0 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. UF completely took over the match, outshooting the Dolphins 16-1 and remaining perfect all-time against Jacksonville. The Gators’ six goals marked their highest single-game total since Aug. 27, 2023, when they defeated Stetson 8-0.
An unsung hero in Florida’s early success has been freshman midfielder Iori Watanabe. The Osaka, Japan, native faced a tall task while adjusting to the American style of play, but coach Nick Zimmerman has admired how quickly she has adapted.
“She’s an incredible human being,” Zimmerman said following Florida’s 3-2 win over Coastal Carolina on Aug. 20. “A lot of people don’t realize how difficult it is to move to a new country, learn a new language and adjust to a completely different style of football.”
Watanabe made an immediate impact in the seventh minute when she found space in the middle of the pitch and sent a through ball to senior Addy Hess. Hess played a one-two with Kyra Taylor before finding senior forward Zoe Main. From the edge of the 18-yard box, Main slotted home the opener for her second goal of the season.
The first goal forced the Dolphins out of their primarily defensive shape. In the ninth minute, Jacksonville won a free kick on the edge of the box, but freshman forward Ula Omerzu sent the attempt over the crossbar.
Main nearly recorded a brace after a pass from Taylor sent her past Jacksonville junior defender Lina Ballman. Ballman pulled Main down, denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity and earning a straight red card.
Florida took full advantage of the defensive mistake. After entering the match following the foul, sophomore defender Katie Johnston was tasked with taking the free kick. She curled a shot past Jacksonville goalkeeper Taylor Gardner, who had no chance to make the save, giving the Gators a 2-0 lead.
“I think that was a big moment for us to get that goal because, obviously, after they went down, getting a goal right away kind of kills the hope for the other team,” Main said.
With Jacksonville down to 10 players and vulnerable defensively, the Gators had the Dolphins right where they wanted them.
In the 29th minute, Johnston sent a ball across the box to freshman midfielder Courtney Hogan, but Gardner saved the shot.
The first half was physical, with the two teams combining for 16 fouls and three cards — two of which were from the Dolphins.
Florida finished the half with six shots, including four on goal, and entered the final 45 minutes hungry for more.
Zimmerman’s high-press philosophy was on full display as Florida’s midfield and attack forced Jacksonville to drop six players into the box. Main found herself with space inside the 18-yard box, but her shot sailed off target just a minute into the second half.
Senior defender Hannah Jibril was everywhere on the pitch Thursday and has emerged as a veteran leader for the Gators. In the 50th minute, Jibril won a foul after dribbling through two Jacksonville defenders. She stepped up to take the ensuing free kick, but Gardner made an easy save.
Florida’s relentless pressure finally paid off in the 55th minute. A corner from freshman midfielder Mia Gray fell to Main, who had plenty of space to shoot. Her attempt deflected off a Jacksonville defender and fell perfectly to Watanabe, who scored her first collegiate goal.
Florida did not let up and continued to dominate in the final third. In the 64th minute, sophomore midfielder Tatum Borman delivered a cross into the box that found senior forward Lena Bailey, who dove for a header and scored her first goal of the season.
Immediately after the ensuing kickoff, sophomore attacker Sophia Sindelear found herself one-on-one with Gardner in the box. She made the unselfish decision to pass to Montelene Dymond for an easy finish, extending Florida’s lead to five.
The senior forward has emerged as a reliable super sub for the Gators, scoring in the second half of each of Florida’s past two matches.
Bailey had a great opportunity to record a brace when she found herself one-on-one with Gardner, but the goalkeeper held her ground for her third save of the match.
Fortunately for Bailey, it wasn’t her last opportunity to complete the brace. Redshirt junior Emma Duval sent a pass into the box, once again putting Bailey one-on-one with Gardner. This time, Bailey converted, bringing UF’s lead to 6-0.
The Gators return to action Sunday against another in-state opponent, the Florida Atlantic Owls (1-2-1). Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at FAU Soccer Stadium.
“It’s going to be good for us to get on the road,” Zimmerman said. We’ve been home here for a while, so it’s good for us to get on the road and be together.”
Contact Zach Moore at zmoore@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @zach_moore27.
Zach is a sophomore sports journalism student in his first semester at The Alligator, covering softball. He also has experience as an intern in the Florida Collegiate Summer League. Zach enjoys watching sports in his free time, primarily the Minnesota Vikings, Orlando Magic, and Arsenal FC.
