After tying in three straight conference matchups, the Florida Gators soccer team headed to Austin, Texas, searching for its first conference victory of the season.
Despite being outshot 14-12, two penalty kicks from sophomore defender Abby Gemma and freshman forward Kai Tsakiris gave the Gators the spark they needed on offense to come out on top.
The Gators (5-3-5, 1-3-2 SEC) got exactly what they were looking for, defeating the Texas Longhorns (3-1-9, 2-1-4 SEC) 2-1 Sunday afternoon.
At the 49-minute mark, Tsakiris stepped up for the Gators’ first penalty kick after Texas freshman midfielder Sadie Hoch was called for a handball. Tsakiris drilled the ball to the bottom right of the net for her team-leading fourth goal of the season, giving Florida a 1-0 lead.
However, Texas responded seven minutes later off the foot of redshirt freshman midfielder Molly MacMillan, as she fired to the back of the net to tie the match. Florida redshirt sophomore forward Megan Hinnenkamp had an opportunity to respond and retake the lead at minute 63, but she fired to the outside of the goal to the left.
Another significant penalty ensued for the Longhorns just two minutes later, as Hoch was called for another foul. Gemma took advantage, converting on the penalty kick to make it a 2-1 advantage for the Gators, and securing her first career goal.
However, with just a minute remaining in the match, the Longhorns had a chance to tie the game. Sophomore defender Chloe Shimkin fired to the net off the Longhorns’ corner kick, but UF redshirt sophomore goalie Paloma Peña saved the ball to secure Florida’s first conference win since Oct. 4, 2024.
Both defenses were reluctant to give up scoring chances in the first half of play. The Gators did not allow a shot attempt until the 21-minute mark, as Texas sophomore midfielder Amalia Villareal fired to the outside left of the goal.
UF freshman midfielder Sophia Sindelar earned the first shot of the match just two minutes in, but she missed to the outside left of the net. Florida had another opportune chance at minute 13, but freshman forward Katie Johnston fired straight to a wall of Longhorns.
The Longhorns had an open look at the 31-minute mark, but senior midfielder Olivia Ahern’s shot was saved at the bottom right of the goal by Peña, who finished the afternoon with four saves.
Eight minutes later, UF senior forward Njeri Butts responded with an attempt to the bottom center of the net, but Texas redshirt freshman goalkeeper Kendell Williams protected the goal. It was Williams’ only save of the match.
Both teams combined for just eight shot attempts in the first half, entering halftime with a scoreless tie.
However, both offenses picked up at the beginning of the second half, combining for four shots in the first four minutes.
Texas freshman midfielder Sadie Hoch fired to the waiting arms of Peña at minute 47. Just a minute later, UF redshirt freshman forward Addy Hess launched the ball from outside the box, but the Longhorns’ backline defense blocked it.
Florida’s defense held strong at the end despite conceding three shot attempts in the last three minutes of action.
The Gators will head back home to Donald R. Dizney Stadium for a matchup against the Mississippi State Bulldogs (9-1-1, 4-1-0 SEC) Friday at 7 p.m.
Contact Adrian Carmona at acarmona@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @abcarmona04.
Adrian is a senior journalism major and the soccer reporter for Fall 2025. He enjoys playing Sporcle quizzes and ranting about South Florida sports.
