Florida Falls 3-0 at No. 2 Vanderbilt

Thursday, October 15

Nashville, TN

7 p.m.

Florida Gators

6-5-3, 2-3-2

Vanderbilt

13-0-1, 6-0-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Florida	0	0	0
Vanderbilt	3	0	3

Match Notes

Florida pre-match huddle at No. 2 Vanderbilt 261015

Florida lost 3-0 Thursday at No. 2 Vanderbilt. [Photo: Carly Mackler]

Florida Falls 3-0 at No. 2 Vanderbilt

Thursday, October 15, 2026 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Mary Howard

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — No. 2 Vanderbilt scored three goals in a span of less than six minutes late in the first half to defeat Florida 3-0 Thursday night in front of a Vanderbilt Soccer Complex-record crowd of 1,880.

The win was Vanderbilt's first over Florida in Nashville since the Gators' inaugural season in 1995.

Vanderbilt (13-0-1, 6-0-1 SEC) is now alone at the top of the Southeastern Conference standings with three league matches remaining. Florida moved to 6-5-3 overall and 11^th in SEC standings at 2-3-2.
SEC Standings

"Credit to Vanderbilt. They are one of the top teams in the country. They are a group that brought back a huge part of the team that won the SEC Tournament title and went to the Elite Eight," Florida coach Nick Zimmerman said. "We are proud of the commitment in the second half from the group. We will use tonight to learn and grow as we prepare to face another very good team on Sunday on the road."

How It Happened
Vanderbilt had two goals disallowed in the opening half before breaking through with three goals from distance in a span of less than six minutes.

Courtney Jones opened the scoring with a shot from 24 yards at 36:14. Just 33 seconds later, SEC goals leader Sydney Watts doubled the Commodores' advantage with her sixth goal of conference play.

Vanderbilt extended its lead to 3-0 at 41:40 after winning possession near midfield following a Florida goal kick. Victoria Pugh received the ball and scored with a right-footed shot from the top of the penalty area.

Florida held Vanderbilt scoreless in the second half but could not cut into the deficit.

The Gators' best scoring opportunity came in the 82nd minute. Lena Bailey's header off a corner kick was deflected wide, where Montelene Dymond attempted to redirect the ball into the net with her right foot. Vanderbilt goalkeeper Alexa Gianoplus moved across to make the save.

Vanderbilt finished with a 15-7 advantage in shots. Florida goalkeeper Jayden Emmanuel recorded five saves, while Gianoplus made three for the Commodores.

Records
Florida: 6-5-3, 2-3-2 SEC
Vanderbilt: 13-0-1, 6-0-1 SEC

Series
Florida leads 28-7-4

Next Up
Florida makes its final road trip of the regular season Sunday at Arkansas. The Razorbacks won 1-0 at Tennessee tonight. SEC Schedule

Sunday, Oct. 18 at Arkansas (5-4-4, 3-1-3 SEC)
Time/Site: 2:30 p.m. ET at Razorback Field
Streaming Video: SEC Network + Josh Haley and Kelly Roliard with the call
Live Stats
Admission: $16 – adult; $11 - youth

Florida (6-5-3, 2-3-2 SEC) at No. 2 Vanderbilt (13-0-1, 6-0-1 SEC)
Stadium: Vanderbilt Soccer Complex (1,880)
Weather: 81 degrees, 45% humidity, Winds SW at 6 mph

Goals by Period	1	2	Total
Florida	0	0	0
Vanderbilt	3	0	3

Scoring Summary:

No.	Time	Team	Goal Scorer	Assist
1.	36:14	VU	Courtney Jones
2.	36:47	VU	Sydney Watts	Megan Hinnenkamp, Lydia Ungashick
3.	41:40	VU	Victoria Pugh

Shots: Florida 7, Vanderbilt 15
Saves: Florida 5 (Jayden Emmanuel 5; Paloma Peña 0); Vanderbilt 3 (Alexa Gianoplus 3)

Cautions: Reagan Pentz-VU-34:13 (yellow); Norah Abbott-UF-50:17 (yellow); VU-50:37 (yellow); Lena Tusche-VU 83:15 (yellow); Nylah Norris-UF 83:15 (yellow)