With nonconference play concluded, the road back to Florida’s first NCAA Tournament since 2019 continues Thursday with yet another ranked foe: No. 19 South Carolina (6-1).
No. 23 Florida (4-2-1) experienced a successful nonconference slate, highlighted by its 3-1 victory over No. 3 Florida State. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks also secured a major rivalry victory in nonconference play, defeating No. 24 Clemson 1-0 in the Palmetto Rivalry.
Both teams were among four Southeastern Conference teams to play two ranked opponents during nonconference play, not including Central Florida, which were ranked after defeating Florida. Moreover, Florida was the only team in the conference to face two top-five opponents, splitting the pair of matches.
Thursday’s match will be the 40th all-time meeting between the teams and the first since 2019. It will also mark the 13th meeting between the programs with both teams ranked and the first time since 2002 that they have faced each other to open conference play.
Historically, the Gators lead the series 22-13-4, but the Gamecocks are unbeaten in the last 10 meetings, going 7-0-3.
After a heartbreaking 2-1 loss Sunday against No. 5 Wake Forest to wrap up the nonconference schedule, Florida coach Nick Zimmerman said his group is excited to begin this next chapter.
“This new chapter is about reflecting on what we’ve learned, what we did well in the nonconference and the areas where we need to get better,” Zimmerman said.
Specifically, the attacking-to-defensive transition has hurt the Gators, with numerous goals conceded coming as a result. Zimmerman and his coaching staff have prioritized that specific situation in training.
“We’re going to continue to harp on it. It’s a mentality. It’s a willingness to get in,” Zimmerman said.
That emphasis stems from senior attackers Zoe Main and Kyra Taylor, who have combined for seven of Florida’s 19 goals.
In 2025, Florida recorded only two wins in Southeastern Conference play, including a 2-1 victory over No. 12 Mississippi State, coached by Zimmerman.
The Gamecocks are led by a veteran coaching staff: the Smith family.
Shelley Smith is in her 26th season as head coach and has posted a 333-146-72 record during her tenure. Her leadership has turned the Gamecocks into consistent postseason contenders, posting 20 consecutive SEC Tournament appearances and 13 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
She is assisted by her husband, associate head coach Jamie Smith. Jamie is in his 22nd season in the role and has been instrumental in turning the Gamecocks into one of the nation’s top defensive teams.
For example, in 2022, the Gamecocks recorded 14 shutouts, finishing third in the country. So far in 2026, the defense has notched four clean sheets in seven matches.
“The staff does a terrific job there,” Zimmerman said. “They’re stalwarts in the SEC.”
The Gamecock attack runs primarily through a single player, senior Sydney Middaugh. She has recorded nearly twice as many shots as her teammates, with 19, and leads the group with three goals. Behind her, five different players have recorded two goals, and the Gamecocks average 13.5 shots per game.
“We expect a big crowd, and it’s another opportunity for us to go and play the game that we love, do it with joy in our hearts and do it together,” Zimmerman said.
Kickoff is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. at Eugene E. Stone III Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.
Contact Zach Moore at zmoore@alligator.org. Follow him on X @zach_moore27.
Zach is a junior sports journalism student in his third semester at The Alligator. He currently covers soccer for the Fall 2026 season after previously serving as the softball reporter. Zach also has experience as a play-by-play broadcaster in the Florida Collegiate Summer League for the Winter Garden Squeeze. In his free time, Zach enjoys going to the gym and watching sports, especially his favorite teams: the Minnesota Vikings, Arsenal FC, Houston Astros, Orlando Magic and Orlando City SC. A fun fact about Zach is that he is also an avid WWE fan.
