GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The 2023 collegiate soccer season starts this week across the nation. Today, the Southeastern Conference revealed its “Players to Watch” list, which includes four Gators<https://www.secsports.com/article/38196975/72-athletes-named-2023-sec-women-soccer-watchlist>.
Three of the Gators – Lauren Donovan, Daviana Vaka and Emily Yaple – joined UF as transfers and will be playing their first season in the SEC. Senior Delaney Tauzel is Florida’s top returner in points and assists and shared UF’s 2022 goals lead.
Lauren Donovan (M) – Loveland, Ohio
At Minnesota (2021 & 2022):
* Appeared in all but one match in two seasons with Minnesota, including playing in every match of 2022 season.
* Started each of the final nine matches of 2021 season, playing all but eight minutes in that stretch
* Three assists – North Dakota (Sept. 12, 2021), Ohio State (Sept. 23, 2021) and North Dakota (Sept. 4, 2022)
* 2022 Academic All-Big 10<https://gophersports.com/news/2022/12/9/football-big-ten-recognizes-107-gophers-with-academic-honors>
Delaney Tauzel (M) – St. Johns, Fla.
As a Junior (2022):
* Florida’s points (7) and assists (3) leader
* Among six Gators sharing team’s season high goals total (2)
* Three assists – all off of corner kick services
* Started all 14 matches played. Average of 82.7 minutes per match third among Gator field players
* Played entirety of nine matches, including the final seven
* Awarded Florida’s Player of the Year at team banquet
* Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll
Daviana Vaka (D) – Sandy, Utah
At BYU (2019-22):
* Provided assist on game-winning goals in 2-1 wins versus Gonzaga<https://twitter.com/byusoccer_w/status/1584012957867909120?s=20> and at Loyola Marymount in 2022
* Oct. 24, 2022 West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Week<https://wccsports.com/news/2022/10/24/athlete-awards-byus-mozingo-and-mason-collect-ucu-wcc-womens-soccer-weekly-honors.aspx#:~:text=Forward%20Daviana%20Vaka%20was%20named%20the%20University%20Credit,the%20Conference%20announced%20its%20weekly%20honors%20on%20Monday.> after assist and goal line clearance versus Gonzaga
* Appeared in all but four matches in each of 2021 and 2022 seasons
* Career high minutes (62) played in 1-1 OT match versus Stanford in 2022 NCAA Second Round (BYU advanced 5-4 on penalty kicks)
* The Cougars advanced to NCAA action each of three seasons Vaka competed for BYU – 2022 (third round), 2021 (championship match) and 2020-21 (second round)
* West Coast Conference Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll<https://wccsports.com/documents/2022/7/29/2021_22_WCC_Commissioner_s_Honor_Roll.pdf> in 2021-22 (bronze)
Emily Yaple (M) – Erie, Pa.
At Pittsburgh (2020-22):
* Scored 10 goals while with Pittsburgh, including standing third among 2021 Panthers with 5 goals and 11 points.
* Season high three assists as a junior
* Golden goal in Pitt’s 2021 win at then No. 16 Oklahoma State
* Bicycle kick goal in 2021 win versus Boston College was No. 3 on ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 plays<https://twitter.com/Pitt_WSOC/status/1451577690851586048?s=20>
* First collegiate goal was game winner versus Syracuse (Sept. 17, 2020).
* Pittsburgh advanced to the 2022 NCAA Round of 16 in the program’s first NCAA appearance
* All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Team in 2020, 2021 and 2022
Next Up:
A pair of home matches opens Florida’s 2023 season.
East Carolina
Date: Thursday, Aug. 17
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Site: Donald R. Dizney Stadium<https://floridagators.com/sports/2020/4/4/donald-r-dizney-stadium.aspx>
Admission: Free
Promotions: Women’s World Cup celebration – National team giveaways plus Gators students might want to do some between semester studying on UF alumna World Cup history to claim a World Cup ball.
Maryland
Date: Sunday, Aug. 20
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Site: Donald R. Dizney Stadium<https://floridagators.com/sports/2020/4/4/donald-r-dizney-stadium.aspx>
Admission: Free
Promotions: Ted Lasso Night – Get a “Believe” card at the gate to accessorize your Ted Lasso apparel for the costume contest. There is a Ted Lasso trivia contest and goldfish snacks for the kids.
2023 Florida Soccer Home Schedule<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-soccer/schedule>
2023 Florida Soccer Promotions<https://floridagators.com/news/2023/8/10/florida-soccer-2023-home-promotions-schedule.aspx>
