Sunday, November 8
Pensacola, Fla.
8 p.m.
Florida Gators
6-7-5, 2-4-4
0
vs
1
Arkansas
8-5-4, 5-2-3
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arkansas | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Florida's season ended Sunday with a 1-0 loss to Arkansas in the Southeastern Conference Tournament.
Sunday, November 8, 2026 | Soccer
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Florida's soccer season came to a close Sunday night with a 1-0 loss to Arkansas in the opening round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament at Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex.
The 12th-seeded Gators (6-7-5, 2-4-4 SEC) created several scoring opportunities against the fifth-seeded Razorbacks (8-5-4, 5-2-3 SEC), but a free-kick goal by Ivy Harding with eight seconds remaining in the opening half proved to be the difference.
The loss ends Florida's first season under head coach Nick Zimmerman. Despite the Gators being one of just three teams this season to post a pair of victories over teams ranked among the nation's top five at the time of the meeting, the Gators finished below the .500 winning percentage required for consideration for an NCAA Tournament at-large berth.
"Incredibly proud of the group," Zimmerman said. "We created some really good chances against a really good team. Just a huge thank you to all the seniors that have given everything to this program. Obviously, they're gonna be missed."
Florida finished with an 11-10 advantage in shots, while both teams recorded three saves.
The Gators had opportunities to take the lead earlier in the half.
Lena Bailey forced Arkansas goalkeeper Keegan Smith to make a save in the 15th minute with a shot from the top of the box. Smith deflected the attempt out for a Florida corner kick.
Arkansas threatened with a succession of shots beginning in the 31st minute. Florida goalkeeper Paloma Peña made a diving save on Aniyah Nurse-Whyte's attempt, resulting in a corner kick. Peña then turned away Natalie Wagner's shot for another Arkansas corner.
Off that corner in the 32nd minute, Florida freshman Mia Gray used her chest to stop Bella Field's attempt at the middle of the goal, recording a team save to keep the match scoreless.
Florida nearly connected for a goal with approximately six minutes remaining in the half. Adia Symmonds carried the ball through midfield before sending a pass into the penalty area for Zoe Main, but Smith reached the ball just ahead of Main's foot.
The Gators continued to press for an equalizer in the second half.
In the 77th minute, Norah Abbott drove toward the end line and delivered a deep cross to Symmonds, whose attempt at the far post went wide.
A minute later, Main won possession near midfield and played the ball into space for Bailey. Bailey drove deep into the Arkansas half before sending a shot just wide of the far post.
Florida continued searching for the tying goal in the closing minutes, but Arkansas held on to advance to Tuesday's quarterfinal round.
"I think it's kind of been the story of where we are right now in our process," Zimmerman said. "We're creating really good chances, and it's just final actions. Being a young team together in our process, this is part of it."
Zimmerman said the disappointment of Sunday's result will provide motivation as the program continues to develop.
"It's sometimes brutal and it's cruel, but this motivates us as a staff, as a group to continue to get back to work," Zimmerman said.
The lower-seeded team advanced in each of the first three matches, marking the second time in tournament history that occurred (first time in 2024).
SEC Tournament Bracket
Although Sunday's result brought the season to a close, Zimmerman expressed appreciation for the players and staff who helped lay the foundation for the program's future.
"It's one of those nights that it's just bittersweet, because there's so many great things, and this is a group that's done some special things so far," Zimmerman said.
Records
Florida: 6-7-5 (2-4-4 SEC)
Arkansas: 8-5-4 (5-2-3 SEC)
Series: Florida leads 22-8-0
Florida (6-7-5, 2-4-4 SEC) versus Arkansas (8-5-4, 5-2-3 SEC)
Stadium: Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Stadium (1,225)
Weather: 62 degrees, 64% humidity, Winds N at 6 mph
Scoring Summary:
Shots: Florida 11, Arkansas 10
Saves: Florida 3 (Paloma Peña 2; TEAM 1); Arkansas 3 (Keegan Smith 3)
Cautions: Skye Barnes-UF | yellow (15:23); Lena Bailey-UF | yellow (30:55); UF Bench | yellow (44:22); Madden McDonald-ARK | yellow (62:45); Aniyah Nurse-Whyte-ARK | yellow (80:19)
The 12th-seeded Gators (6-7-5, 2-4-4 SEC) created several scoring opportunities against the fifth-seeded Razorbacks (8-5-4, 5-2-3 SEC), but a free-kick goal by Ivy Harding with eight seconds remaining in the opening half proved to be the difference.
The loss ends Florida's first season under head coach Nick Zimmerman. Despite the Gators being one of just three teams this season to post a pair of victories over teams ranked among the nation's top five at the time of the meeting, the Gators finished below the .500 winning percentage required for consideration for an NCAA Tournament at-large berth.
"Incredibly proud of the group," Zimmerman said. "We created some really good chances against a really good team. Just a huge thank you to all the seniors that have given everything to this program. Obviously, they're gonna be missed."
Florida finished with an 11-10 advantage in shots, while both teams recorded three saves.
Sunday's Scoring
Arkansas broke through in the final seconds of the first half after drawing a foul just outside the top of the penalty area. Harding sent a low free kick into the goal at 44:52 to give the Razorbacks a 1-0 halftime lead.The Gators had opportunities to take the lead earlier in the half.
Lena Bailey forced Arkansas goalkeeper Keegan Smith to make a save in the 15th minute with a shot from the top of the box. Smith deflected the attempt out for a Florida corner kick.
Arkansas threatened with a succession of shots beginning in the 31st minute. Florida goalkeeper Paloma Peña made a diving save on Aniyah Nurse-Whyte's attempt, resulting in a corner kick. Peña then turned away Natalie Wagner's shot for another Arkansas corner.
Off that corner in the 32nd minute, Florida freshman Mia Gray used her chest to stop Bella Field's attempt at the middle of the goal, recording a team save to keep the match scoreless.
Florida nearly connected for a goal with approximately six minutes remaining in the half. Adia Symmonds carried the ball through midfield before sending a pass into the penalty area for Zoe Main, but Smith reached the ball just ahead of Main's foot.
The Gators continued to press for an equalizer in the second half.
In the 77th minute, Norah Abbott drove toward the end line and delivered a deep cross to Symmonds, whose attempt at the far post went wide.
A minute later, Main won possession near midfield and played the ball into space for Bailey. Bailey drove deep into the Arkansas half before sending a shot just wide of the far post.
Florida continued searching for the tying goal in the closing minutes, but Arkansas held on to advance to Tuesday's quarterfinal round.
"I think it's kind of been the story of where we are right now in our process," Zimmerman said. "We're creating really good chances, and it's just final actions. Being a young team together in our process, this is part of it."
Zimmerman said the disappointment of Sunday's result will provide motivation as the program continues to develop.
"It's sometimes brutal and it's cruel, but this motivates us as a staff, as a group to continue to get back to work," Zimmerman said.
SEC Tournament Opening Round
Sunday's match began approximately 75 minutes later than scheduled after the day's first three matches extended beyond their allotted times, including Texas' penalty-kick shootout victory over Mississippi State.The lower-seeded team advanced in each of the first three matches, marking the second time in tournament history that occurred (first time in 2024).
- No. 10 Georgia def. No. 7 Oklahoma, 1-0
- No. 11 LSU def. No. 6 Auburn, 1-0
- No. 9 Texas advanced over No. 8 Mississippi State, 5-4 on penalty kicks, following a 0-0 draw.
SEC Tournament Bracket
Looking Ahead
Florida's season included two victories over top-five opponents and valuable experience for a young roster in Zimmerman's first year leading the program.Although Sunday's result brought the season to a close, Zimmerman expressed appreciation for the players and staff who helped lay the foundation for the program's future.
"It's one of those nights that it's just bittersweet, because there's so many great things, and this is a group that's done some special things so far," Zimmerman said.
Records
Florida: 6-7-5 (2-4-4 SEC)
Arkansas: 8-5-4 (5-2-3 SEC)
Series: Florida leads 22-8-0
Florida (6-7-5, 2-4-4 SEC) versus Arkansas (8-5-4, 5-2-3 SEC)
Stadium: Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Stadium (1,225)
Weather: 62 degrees, 64% humidity, Winds N at 6 mph
| Goals by Period | 1 | 2 | Total |
| Florida | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arkansas | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Scoring Summary:
| No. | Time | Team | Goal Scorer | Assist |
| 1. | 44:52 | ARK | Ivy Harding | Free kick |
Shots: Florida 11, Arkansas 10
Saves: Florida 3 (Paloma Peña 2; TEAM 1); Arkansas 3 (Keegan Smith 3)
Cautions: Skye Barnes-UF | yellow (15:23); Lena Bailey-UF | yellow (30:55); UF Bench | yellow (44:22); Madden McDonald-ARK | yellow (62:45); Aniyah Nurse-Whyte-ARK | yellow (80:19)
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
FLA
ARK
Goals
0
1
Shots
11
10
Shots on Goal
3
4
Saves
2
3
Corners
4
7
Fouls
5
16
Scoring Plays
Ivy Harding (2)
GOAL by ARK Harding, Ivy.
44:52
Game Leaders
fwd
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
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