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Saturday, September 05, 2026

Soccer

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Zimmerman is the third soccer coach hired by Florida since 2021.
Sports

Nick Zimmerman ushers in new era for Florida soccer

A new coach often brings familiar players, and a significant portion of Florida’s 2026 transfer class followed Zimmerman from Mississippi State to Gainesville. Seven Bulldogs made the move after combining for 17 goals in 2025, accounting for almost half of their scoring.


Florida defensive player Avery Upton (6) runs with the ball during a soccer match against the University of North Florida on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.
Sports

Florida stuns No. 3 Florida State on home turf

Florida (2-1) snapped its eight-game losing streak to Florida State (3-1) with a 3-1 win at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. The remarkable triumph was one of the biggest upsets in the country and gave Florida fans hope that the Nick Zimmerman era will provide excellence.


University of Florida soccer player Lena Bailey (29) chases down the ball from University of Central Florida’s Taylor Jacobson (2) in Gainesville, Florida, on Aug. 24, 2024.
Sports

Kyra Taylor’s brace powers Florida to victory in home opener

The first half of the match followed a familiar script from the loss against Central Florida on Aug. 13, with the Gators jumping out to a 2-0 lead before Coastal Carolina battled back. However, unlike in the opener, UF fought through adversity to regain the lead and secure its first win under Zimmerman.


Florida women's soccer player Nylah Norris is set to begin her freshman season under head coach Nick Zimmerman in 2026.
Sports

Florida soccer’s Nylah Norris embraces new era under Nick Zimmerman

Nylah’s competitive mindset helped shape her path to the University of Florida, where she enters her freshman year under first-year head coach Nick Zimmerman. The connection between the two stems back to Zimmerman’s days as Mississippi State head coach. He recruited Nylah and planned to host her for a visit. However, she decided to commit to the Gators to be closer to her family, who had recently moved from Texas. 


A Spanish flag flies outside the Museo Reina Sofia, Friday, June 5, 2026, in Madrid, Spain.
Sports

The best stories from new champions, part 3

When Mexico kicked off the 2026 World Cup against South Africa on June 11, the world came to a screeching halt. For the next 38 days, all eyes would be fixed on the pitch as nations competed for the highest honor of the most popular sport on the planet.


Freshman midfielder Mia Gray (left) joined the Gators for spring training ahead of the 2026 season.
Sports

New York to Florida: Mia Gray’s path to UF soccer

The Rochester, New York, native visited in August 2024 and wasn’t sure at first if she would make it because of the forecast. The first day was clear, but Hurricane Debby made landfall the second day. The midfielder’s flight back home was canceled and she stayed a few extra days.



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