Nona FC 2025 Season In Review

LAKE NONA - Nona FC concluded a memorable fourth season in USL League Two Southeast Division play, setting new standards and writing more history.

The Longhorns posted a top-two regular-season finish for the fourth time in as many seasons, reaching the eight-win mark for the fourth straight year. They finished in second place in the final standings with 24 points, winning eight games and losing only four.

On the field, nine different players scored at least one goal, with seven of them scoring their first for the Black and Orange. Brandon Nyagurungo led the way with four, and three different goalkeepers manned the posts on the other end of the pitch, each recording at least one clean sheet on the defensive end.

NONA FC DELIVERS STATEMENT WIN OVER BREVARD SC

After falling to Brave SC in the second Rodeo Derby of the season, Nona FC rebounded in emphatic fashion with a 5-0 away rout of Brevard SC on July 8. The occasion marked the club’s largest margin of victory since July 9, 2024, when it took down Brevard SC, 5-2 away from home.

Alan Martinez hit the ground running in the second minute, with his goal assisted by Nona FC captain Christian Kraus on his return from injury. Kraus set up Andre Navas in the 40th minute to double the lead before Martinez scored one of the goals of the season with a beautifully placed free kick in the 66th minute. Christian Acevedo and Pedro Nunes scored their first goals of the season in the 76th and 82nd minutes, respectively to cap off a memorable night.

The dominant performance also became the first time in club history that Nona FC held an opponent without a single shot for a full match.

RETURNERS SET NEW RECORDS

Veteran defender Joel Sangwa returned for his third season in a Nona FC jersey and became the club record holder for all-time career games started with 29 in the Longhorns’ regular-season finale against Inter Gainesville KF on July 14.

Sangwa started all nine games that he played in this season, delivering five clean-sheet performances while only conceding five goals.

At the other end of the pitch, second-year striker Christian Kraus tied the all-time club top goalscorer list with his second strike of the night against Brooke House FC on May 21.

Kraus now shares the record with 2022-23 forward Tarik Pannholzer and has the best goals-per-game ratio of any player with at least five goals scored, averaging one goal every 1.8 games.

GOALKEEPING TRIO MAKES HISTORY

Nona FC saw three different goalkeepers play between the posts in 2025 on its way to a single-season record seven clean sheets.

Rafa Santos opened the campaign with a clean sheet against Brevard SC, 2-0 on May 14. Parker Christiansen recorded two clean sheets of his own against Brooke House FC, 3-0 on May 21, and against Brevard SC, 5-0 on July 8.

Icelandic shot-stopper Steingrimur Gunnarsson played in net for the other nine games of the season, making an impressive 22 saves en route to four clean sheets.

Gunnarsson’s performances this season garnered him a solid 2.4 saves per game and a .78 goals-against average.

NATIONALLY-RANKED DEFENSE

The Black and Orange’s campaign can be highlighted by their defensive play, boasting a top five defense in the nation and setting a single-season record by only conceding seven goals.

Additionally, the back line secured seven clean sheets, setting a single-season club record.

EARLY STARTS, LATE FINISHES

Nona FC showed a consistent tendency for both early goals and late heroics in 2025.

The squad scored six goals in the first half of contests and three within the first ten minutes. All three early openers proved to be game-winners.

The Longhorns were not afraid to leave it late, scoring 11 of their goals in the second half of play. Four of those 11 came in the 80th minute or later, with two of those becoming game-winners.

2025 SEASON RECAP

At the end of the season, Nona FC posted an 8-4-0 record in USL League Two Southeast Division play, coming in second place in the standings. The Black and Orange were undefeated against Brevard SC, Brooke House FC, and Inter Gainesville KF.

The 2025 season was head coach Bruno Jaeger’s first in charge.

FOLLOW THE LONGHORNS

Follow NONA FC on Instagram (@nonafootballclub) and on YouTube (@nonasportscast4180), and keep up with the Nona Soccer Academy on Instagram (@nonasocceracademy).