A pair of Gators claim Southeastern Conference Player of the Week honors - Jayden Emmanuel (left, Defensive) and Kyra Taylor (Offensive). [Photos by Audrey Djuricich]
Kyra Taylor and Jayden Emmanuel Claim SEC Soccer Player of the Week Awards
Monday, August 24, 2026 | Soccer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida seniors Kyra Taylor and Jayden Emmanuel earned Southeastern Conference Player of the Week honors following a two-win week for the Gators that included Sunday's 3-1 victory over defending NCAA champion Florida State.
Taylor was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week, while Emmanuel earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
It is the first SEC weekly honor for each Gator.
Kentucky's Kyla Dawn was named SEC Freshman of the Week.
Quick Look at Jayden Emmanuel's Performance:
Quick Look at Kyra Taylor's Performance:
Next Up:
Florida closes August action with a pair of in-state opponents. The Gators finish their three-match homestand Thursday when Jacksonville comes to Dizney Stadium. The Dolphins (1-0-1, 0-0 ASUN) played Georgia Southern to a scoreless tie in their last match.
Then Florida travels to Boca Raton, Fla., to face Florida Atlantic (0-2-1, 0-0 American) on Sunday. The Owls play host to Howard on Thursday at 5 p.m.
vs Jacksonville
Date: Thursday, Aug. 27
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Site: Donald R. Dizney Stadium
Stream: SEC Network + with Ryan Urquhart and Matthew Stubbington calling the action
Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM with Nevada Cullen and Lance Williams calling the action
StatBroadcast
Admission: Free for all Gator soccer regular-season matches
Promotions: Staff Appreciation Night - Gators Soccer celebrates UF faculty and staff at The Diz! Join us as we recognize the people who make the University of Florida special, then cheer on the Gators as they take on Jacksonville!
at Florida Atlantic
Date: Sunday, Aug. 30
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Site: FAU Soccer Stadium (1,000)
Stream: ESPN +
StatBroadcast
Admission: Free
Taylor was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week, while Emmanuel earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
It is the first SEC weekly honor for each Gator.
Kentucky's Kyla Dawn was named SEC Freshman of the Week.
Quick Look at Jayden Emmanuel's Performance:
- Made her first start of the season against No. 3 Florida State.
- Provided the Gators with a key save on a one-on-one opportunity after Shaneil Buckley broke free on a 70-yard run. Emmanuel came off her line to close the angle and block the shot.
- Helped Florida earn its first win over a defending NCAA champion since defeating Florida State in 2015.
- Helped Florida become the only SEC program with a win over a top-10 team this season.
Quick Look at Kyra Taylor's Performance:
- Led Florida with back-to-back two-goal matches in wins against Coastal Carolina and No. 3 Florida State.
- Recorded the sixth brace of her collegiate career against Florida State. It marked the first time she posted consecutive two-goal matches since her freshman season at Louisiana Tech, when she scored twice against Nicholls on Sept. 7, 2023, and twice at Mississippi on Sept. 10, 2023.
- Scored the game-winner against No. 3 Florida State in the 62nd minute, helping the Gators earn their first win over a defending NCAA champion since defeating Florida State in 2015.
- Came off the bench in the 17th minute and completed her brace in just 11 minutes of action.
Next Up:
Florida closes August action with a pair of in-state opponents. The Gators finish their three-match homestand Thursday when Jacksonville comes to Dizney Stadium. The Dolphins (1-0-1, 0-0 ASUN) played Georgia Southern to a scoreless tie in their last match.
Then Florida travels to Boca Raton, Fla., to face Florida Atlantic (0-2-1, 0-0 American) on Sunday. The Owls play host to Howard on Thursday at 5 p.m.
vs Jacksonville
Date: Thursday, Aug. 27
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Site: Donald R. Dizney Stadium
Stream: SEC Network + with Ryan Urquhart and Matthew Stubbington calling the action
Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM with Nevada Cullen and Lance Williams calling the action
StatBroadcast
Admission: Free for all Gator soccer regular-season matches
Promotions: Staff Appreciation Night - Gators Soccer celebrates UF faculty and staff at The Diz! Join us as we recognize the people who make the University of Florida special, then cheer on the Gators as they take on Jacksonville!
at Florida Atlantic
Date: Sunday, Aug. 30
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Site: FAU Soccer Stadium (1,000)
Stream: ESPN +
StatBroadcast
Admission: Free
Players Mentioned
GK
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