GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Zoe Main gave Florida an early lead, but Ava Galligan scored twice to lift LSU to a 2-1 win Friday night at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.
The Gators outshot the Tigers 18-6 and threatened late, but LSU goalkeeper Audur Scheving matched her career-high of seven saves to preserve the victory.
Tonight’s Match
Zoe Main, you are unreal 🤯
🎥 SEC Network+ pic.twitter.com/Kf0AVAYLHC
— Gators Soccer (@GatorsSoccer) October 2, 2026
Florida opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Freshman Courtney Hogan lofted a ball into space near the top of the penalty area, where Main chased it down, held off a defender and finished with an eight-yard, left-footed shot.
LSU equalized in the 30th minute when Galligan finished Linka Ono’s angled cross at the far post.
Galligan put the Tigers ahead in the 52nd minute. The sequence began with Scheving sending the ball toward midfield, where it was headed forward to Sariyah Bailey. Bailey played a ball into the penalty area for Galligan, who chased it down and scored with her right foot.
Florida nearly equalized in the 72nd minute. Addy Hess sent a ball forward from midfield to Main, whose shot inside the penalty area was tipped away by Scheving for a corner kick.
The Gators threatened again in the 87th minute. An LSU defender deflected Main’s cross, which came to Iori Watanabe near the corner of the penalty area. Watanabe’s shot deflected off another Tiger, forcing Scheving to adjust quickly to make the save.
Florida coach Nick Zimmerman was disappointed with the result but encouraged by the Gators’ performance.
“It was an unbelievable performance from us. They had one chance in the second half — credit to them — and they scored it. But incredibly proud of the group,” Zimmerman said.
“The goalkeeper made a couple big saves, and we were right in and around the box,” he added. “But, again, if we’re creating these chances, the good things are gonna happen.”
Weather delayed kickoff by 30 minutes. Zimmerman also expressed appreciation for the fans who attended despite intermittent light rain.
Records
Florida: 5-4-3, 1-2-2 SEC
LSU: 3-8-2, 1-3-1 SEC
Series
Florida leads 21-4-2
Next Up
Florida finishes this two-match home stand Thursday with league leader No. 5 Alabama – the only match on that night’s SEC schedule. The Tide won 2-0 over Mississippi tonight in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Thursday, Oct. 8 versus No. 5 Alabama (12-1-0, 5-0-0 SEC)
Time/Site: 7 p.m. ET at Donald R. Dizney Stadium
TV: SEC Network with Mike Watts and Jill Loyden calling the action
ESPN 98.1 FM / 850 AM WRUF Announcer: Ryan Urquhart calls the action
Live Stats
Admission: Free
Promotions: Arrive early to complete your Gators match-day look: The first 250 fans receive a Gators soccer visor.
LSU (3-8-2, 1-3-1 SEC) at Florida (5-4-3, 1-2-2 SEC)
Stadium: Donald R. Dizney Stadium (687)
Weather: 88 degrees, 94% humidity, Winds ENE at 6 mph, light rain at beginning
Goals by Period
1
2
Total
LSU
1
1
2
Florida
1
0
1
Scoring Summary:
No.
Time
Team
Goal Scorer
Assist
1.
21:11
UF
Zoe Main
Courtney Hogan
2.
29:16
LSU
Ava Galligan
Linka Ono
3.
51:17
LSU
Ava Galligan
Sariyah Bailey
Shots: LSU 6, Florida 18
Saves: LSU 7 (Audur Scheving 7); Florida 1 (Jayden Emmanuel 1)
Cautions: LSU Bench – yellow (41:44)