Florida Soccer Drops Opener 4-3 at UCF

Thursday, August 13

Orlando, FL

8:05 p.m.

Florida Gators

0-1-0, 0-0-0

UCF

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Florida	2	1	3
UCF	1	3	4

Florida lost 4-3 at UCF Thursday in its season opener.

Florida Soccer Drops Opener 4-3 at UCF

Thursday, August 13, 2026 | Soccer

Box Score

By: Mary Howard

ORLANDO, Fla. – The chances were there for Florida soccer in its season opener, outshooting UCF 24-11. But the Gators couldn't convert enough of them in a 4-3 loss to UCF Thursday evening at the UCF Soccer Complex.

Weather Delays Start of Season
Heavy rain and lightning delayed the start of tonight's match by an hour and five minutes. Once play began, no other interruptions impacted the match.

Tonight's Scoring:
It didn't take long for the Gators to get on the board after the delayed start. Zoe Main took advantage of a low UCF goal kick, knocking the ball down eight yards from the box to score on an angled shot to the far post.

Florida second corner kick of the season ended with a goal by sophomore Adia Symmonds. Katie Johnston sent in the corner kick, which was headed out of the box by a Knight. The ball fell at the top of the box where Symmonds stepped up for a left footed shot at scored in the 19^th minute.

UCF cut the lead in half in the 25^th minute when Gabi Berchon touched the ball out in the box to Naomi Clark for a goal from bottom left.

The Knights opened the second half with a pair of quick goals to take a 3-2 lead. The tying goal came in the 49^th minute when Kalena Bellini tapped the ball into open space at the top corner of the box. Ella Holloran stepped in to score on a left-footed shot.

Naomi Clark's goal at 51:06 gave the Knights the lead. She won the ball above the Gator box and drove in for a 16-yard angled shot to far post.

A Gator foul on the upper edge of the box gave the Knights a penalty kick in the 84^th minute. Gabi Berchon successfully converted the kick.

The Knights were whistled with a hand ball in the box in the final minute. Senior Hannah Jibril successfully converted the kick for the final goal of the match.

DYK:

Florida's goal at 1:31 by senior Zoe Main is the second fastest season opening goal in the program's 32 seasons. The quickest? All-American Sarah Yohe's goal in 56 seconds versus Florida State in the 1999 season opener at Pressly Stadium.
Today's Gator starters included freshman Mia Gray. This is the 25th time (and fifth consecutive) in the program's 32 seasons a freshman was part of the season opening starting lineup. She enrolled at UF for the spring 2026 semester after earning 2025 United Soccer Coaches High School Fall All-America and NYSSCOGS Class C Player of the Year honors.
Three other Gator freshmen saw their first collegiate match action Thursday – Lael Hill, Courtney Hogan and Iori Watanabe.
All the Gator goals tonight (Zoe Main, Adia Symmonds and Hannah Jibril) were the first of their Gator careers as they all transferred to UF from Mississippi State this spring.

Coach Zimmerman Said:
"We talk about it all the time valuing our opportunities. They're a very good team. You know, the good news is it's the first game, but the mistakes that we made are correctable and solvable. These are moments that you learn a lot from. I'm proud of the fight and the willingness to continue to go. We created a number of chances. It's just one of those nights." – Florida Head Coach Nick Zimmerman

Records:
Florida: 0-1, 0-0-0 SEC
UCF: 1-0, 0-0-0 Big 12

Series Record:
Florida leads 14-9-2

Next Up:
Florida opens action The Diz with a three-match homestand Thursday against Coastal Carolina (1-0, 0-0 Sun Belt). The Chanticleers opened the season tonight with a 3-0 home win versus Charleston Southern.

vs Coastal Carolina
Date: Thursday, Aug. 20
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Site: Donald R. Dizney Stadium (1,500)
Stream: SEC Network + with Ryan Urquhart and Matthew Stubbington calling the action
Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM with Sky Lebron and Nevada Cullen calling the action
StatBroadcast
Admission: Free for all Gator soccer regular-season matches
Promotions: 📯 Let the Gators Hear You; Get loud at The Diz! The first 150 fans receive a FREE vuvuzela—bring the energy and cheer on the Gators! 🐊 Rep The Gators All Season: Grab your 2026 Gators schedule poster and magnet at The Diz and keep the Gators on your calendar all year long!

Florida (0-1, 0-0 SEC) at UCF (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)
Stadium: UCF Soccer Complex

Goals by Period	1	2	Total
Florida	2	1	3
UCF	1	3	4

Scoring Summary:

No.	Time	Team	Goal Scorer	Assist
1.	1:31	UF	Zoe Main
2.	18:08	UF	Adia Symmonds
3.	24:14	UCF	Naomi Clark	Gabi Berchon, Ainsley Moy
4.	48:31	UCF	Ella Holloran	Kalena Bellini
5.	51:06	UCF	Naomi Clark
6.	83:23	UCF	Gabi Berchon	Penalty kick
7.	89:21	UF	Hannah Jibril	Penalty kick