Ella Petersen is back home in the Sunshine State after playing her freshman season at Mississippi State. She appeared in all but one match for the Bulldogs, starting 10.
Gator Soccer Adds Transfer Ella Petersen
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | Soccer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida soccer adds defender Ella Petersen to the upcoming season's roster.
Petersen stood third among 2025 Mississippi State freshmen in minutes played. She returns to the Sunshine State as Petersen is from Orlando, playing high school soccer at The Geneva School and competing for Florida Krush during club career.
"Ella's someone that is just scraping the surface of how good she can be," Florida Head Coach Nick Zimmerman said. "Her willingness to compete and be coached is elite. She is very technical and loves the ball. She is someone that brightens everyone's day and is going to so important for us both on and off the field."
Petersen is the 10th newcomer to join the Gators for the 2026 season as UF signed four freshmen last month and already announced the signing of five MSU transfers this week – Tatum Borman, Charlotte Grim, Zoe Main, Adia Symmonds and Kyra Taylor.
Ella Petersen
IG: elllapetersen
At Mississippi State (2025):
Club:
Petersen's Career Statistics (at Mississippi State)
Petersen stood third among 2025 Mississippi State freshmen in minutes played. She returns to the Sunshine State as Petersen is from Orlando, playing high school soccer at The Geneva School and competing for Florida Krush during club career.
"Ella's someone that is just scraping the surface of how good she can be," Florida Head Coach Nick Zimmerman said. "Her willingness to compete and be coached is elite. She is very technical and loves the ball. She is someone that brightens everyone's day and is going to so important for us both on and off the field."
Petersen is the 10th newcomer to join the Gators for the 2026 season as UF signed four freshmen last month and already announced the signing of five MSU transfers this week – Tatum Borman, Charlotte Grim, Zoe Main, Adia Symmonds and Kyra Taylor.
Ella Petersen
IG: elllapetersen
- Position: Defender
- High School: The Geneva School
- Club: Florida Krush
- Previous School: Mississippi State
- Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
At Mississippi State (2025):
- Appeared in 19 matches, starting 10
- Third among Bulldog freshmen in total minutes played, including two complete matches
- First collegiate assist came at South Alabama
Club:
- Three-star prospect by TopDrawerSoccer
- 2024 Orlando Sentinel All-Area honorable mention
- Geneva School advanced to 2022 and 2021 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) 2A semifinal; 2024 regional final, 2025 1A regional semifinal and 2023 regional quarterfinal
- Played on Geneva School varsity team starting in eighth grade, earning all-district honors five times
- Played for Florida Krush during club career
- 2024 ECNL Southeast U17 All-Conference first team
- Selected for East roster for 2024 Continental Tire ECNL National Selection Game
- Represented Team Southeast in 2024 ECNL Girls Conference Cup
- 2023 ECNL Southeast U16 All-Conference second team
- 2022 ECNL Southeast U15 All-Conference first team
Petersen's Career Statistics (at Mississippi State)
| Season | GP-GS | Min | Shots | G (GWG) | A | Pts |
| 2025 | 19-10 | 950 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Totals | 19-10 | 950 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
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