Three takeaways from Florida soccer’s regular season - The Independent Florida Alligator
By Google News Sports ·
When the Becky Burleigh era ended in 2021, Florida soccer entered a difficult period. From 2022-25, the Gators posted a 22-46-22 record and cycled through two head coaches: Tony Amato, who spent one season at the helm, and Samantha Bohon, who led the program for four seasons.
The hiring of Zimmerman brought renewed hope to Gainesville that a turnaround was on the horizon. In his first season as head coach, Zimmerman gave Florida plenty of reasons for optimism, suggesting that athletic director Scott Stricklin made the right hire.
As Florida’s regular season came to a close Sunday, the Gators had plenty of positives to reflect on. Among them, Florida defeated two top-five teams for the first time since 2012, including its first victory over rival then-No. 3 Florida State since 2015.
The Gators finished the regular season with a 6-6-5 record, earning the No. 12 seed in the Southeastern Conference tournament. Florida is set to face No. 5 seed Arkansas in the opening round on Nov. 8.
It will be the second meeting this season between the two teams, with Florida looking to avenge its previous loss to the Razorbacks. On Oct. 18, the Gators carried a 1-0 lead into halftime, but two second-half goals, including a last-second strike with just seven seconds remaining, handed Florida its final conference loss.
Here’s what stood out from Florida’s regular season.
Fourteen players have combined to score Florida’s 32 goals this season, highlighting the Gators’ attacking depth.
The total is tied for the second-most goal scorers in program history and marks the first time since 2001 that 14 Gators have scored in a season.
Senior forwards Kyra Taylor and Zoe Main led Florida with seven and six goals, respectively. As the duo approaches the final matches of their lone season with…
Originally published by Google News Sports
