Florida stuns No. 3 FSU, ends decade-long drought

Florida defeated No. 3 Florida State 3-1 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium, with Kyra Taylor scoring twice to end FSU's non-conference unbeaten run and their first loss under coach Brian Pensky in over a decade. The win snapped a 36-game non-conference unbeaten streak for FSU dating to 2019 and interrupted a longer stretch of Florida State dominance in the series. Florida State entered the matchup with strong form, riding a 3-0 start and a stout defense led by Kate Ockene, while Florida carried a 1-1-0 record early in 2026 and relied on quick counterattacks. Across previews and game reports, FSU has featured transfers such as Sam Erbach, Tanner Strickland, and Ashley Henderson, contributing to a deep and productive roster and continuing a 35-game regular-season non-conference winning streak and a 12-game unbeaten run. The upset adds a new chapter to a heated Florida rivalry in women’s soccer, highlighting UF’s breakthrough performance against a traditionally dominant FSU program as both teams eye upcoming conference and non-conference matches. The coverage underscores the contrasting narratives: Florida’s sharp counters and decisive finish versus FSU’s depth and transfer-driven progression, shaping a compelling storyline for the season ahead.