Florida Sports Wire

ORLANDO – UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir has announced the hiring of Gabe Lazo as the next head coach of its women’s basketball program, becoming the 14th head coach in program history. A Miami native, Lazo brings a dynamic background and a proven track record of success at multiple levels of women’s basketball. Widely regarded as one of the rising coaches in the game, he has built his reputation as an elite recruiter, defensive strategist, and developer of student-athletes. “Gabe represents what we were looking for in the next leader of our women’s basketball program,” Mohajir said. “He’s a proven competitor at every level of the game, with deep Florida roots, an elite ability to connect with people, and a track record of developing student-athletes on and off the court. He has consistently helped elevated every program he’s been part of as a head coach and assistant. “His vision for UCF, his love for the state, combined with his energy and ability to conn...

Special to Jacksonville Sports Day JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp snapped their four-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Saturday night at VyStar Ballpark in front of 6,614 fans. Jacksonville (2-6) third baseman Jacob Berry (1) drove in all four runs in the win, capped off by a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to push the lead to 4-1. The lone Sugar Land (6-2) run arrived in the top of the first inning when Taylor Trammell (2) led off the game with a solo blast, giving the Space Cowboys an initial 1-0 advantage.  Berry tied the game at one on an RBI groundout in the home fourth after Nathan Martorella led off the inning with a single and Johnny Olmstead doubled. Bradley Blalock started for Jacksonville and tossed four innings while allowing two hits, one run and three walks and striking out one. Cade Gibson (W, 1-0) earned the win for the Jumbo Shrimp after throwing two scoreless relief innings.  Peter Lambert got ...

PHOTO COURTESY: PWHL NEW YORK — The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) made history once again Saturday night, setting a new U.S. arena attendance record for a women’s hockey game. A total of 18,006 fans sold-out the first-ever PWHL game at Madison Square Garden, presented by e.l.f. Cosmetics, as the New York Sirens hosted the Seattle Torrent. Among those in attendance for the record-breaking night of PWHL action were celebrated women’s sports icons, including boxer Amanda Serrano and soccer star Kelley O’Hara, who read the lineups for New York and Seattle respectively; Good Morning America host Robin Roberts; top WNBA prospect and recording artist  Flau'jae Johnson; New York Rangers captain JT Miller; and of course, PWHL advisory board members and sports legends, Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss, who performed the ceremonial puck drop. This historic debut at The World’s Most Famous Arena marked the league’s eighth time breaking the U.S. arena record for a women’s hockey gam...

  Photo by Nancy DeLander Beecher/Florida Sports Wire JACKSONVILLE (Special to Florida Sports Wire) – Cole Moberg’s second of the season fueled the comeback victory Thursday night over Jacksonville 3-2 in overtime. Anthony Romano opened the scoring late in the first period on the power play to give the Florida Everblades a 1–0 lead in an otherwise evenly played opening frame. Jacksonville generated early pressure but could not solve Cam Johnson, who kept the Icemen off the board. Florida nearly struck first on an early zone entry as Logan Lambdin set up Isaac Nurse with a cross-ice feed, but Topias Leinonen sprawled out to deny the chance. Both sides traded opportunities late in the period, including a shot from Jett Jones that rang the iron, while Logan Cockerill forced a turnover for Jacksonville but was turned aside by an outstretched Johnson. A late power play proved to be the difference, as Romano buried a long-range shot 20 seconds into the man advantage for his 22nd goal of...

 JACKSONVILLE (Florida Sports Wire) – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp fell 3-2 to the Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Thursday night at VyStar Ballpark in front of a crowd of 5,060 despite multiple opportunities with runners on base in the late innings. Colton Gordon (W, 1-0) earned the win for Sugar Land (5-1) while limiting Jacksonville (1-5) to two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and two walks.  Patrick Monteverde (L, 0-1) took the loss after going the first three innings and conceding three runs while walking three and striking out five. Jacksonville lifted the lid on the scoring in the bottom of the first after Andrew Pintar lead off with a single, Kemp Alderman worked a walk and Joe Mack singled to set up a bases loaded no-out situation. Back-to-back Nathan Martorella and Jesús Bastidas sacrifice flies sent the Jumbo Shrimp to a 2-0 lead. Sugar Land scored all three of their runs in the top of the third following back-to-back walks to Kellen Strahm and Taylor Trammell s...

JACKSONVILLE (Florida Sports Network) - The Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference and United Athletic Conference (UAC) have announced that the University of West Florida will transition to the NCAA Division I level and join both leagues beginning Fall 2026. UWF will compete in the ASUN as a full multi-sport member, in addition to joining the UAC as a football-playing affiliate.  Beginning July 1, 2026, the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) will rebrand as the UAC and together, the ASUN and UAC will form a consortium. This first-of-its-kind alliance will support collaborative scheduling, shared operational efficiencies and expanded competition opportunities. The University of West Florida will become the 17th member of the consortium. “This addition not only strengthens both conferences, but represents yet another growth milestone for the alliance between these two leagues,” consortium Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bacon said. “Since announcing our plans nearly a year ago, the excitement ar...

ORLANDO – The Orlando Storm etched their names in the UFL record books, winning the first game in franchise history against another new franchise in the Columbus Aviators, 23-16, to conclude week one of the 2026 UFL season. Passing and rushing hit on all cylinders for the Storm, totaling 356 yards of offense, spotlighted by a league-best 139 rushing yards. Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Jack Plummer threw an efficient 17-22, totaling 240 yards and one passing touchdown. Elijhah Badger led the night in receiving, snagging four catches for 127 yards.  Running back Jashaun Corbin played lights-out, leading the UFL in rushing yards (66) and rushing touchdowns (two) after week one. The Orlando Storm opened the season in electric fashion, as Andrew Parker forced a fumble on the opening kick, recovered by Josh Minkins, setting the Storm offense up in excellent field position to begin the season. The offense responded to the special teams’ powerful start, as Jack Plummer connected w...