Nicole Vernis

Nicole Vernis
Vernis with Georgia in 2024
Personal information
Full name Nicole Marie Vernis[1]
Date of birth (2001-01-15) January 15, 2001
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Fort Lauderdale United
(on loan from Lexington SC)
Number 23
Youth career
FC Florida
Palm Beach Garden Predators
2016–2019 The Benjamin School
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2021 Florida Gators 36 (3)
2022–2024 Georgia Bulldogs 44 (9)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2025– Lexington SC 22 (2)
2025 → Lazio (loan) 1 (0)
2026– → Fort Lauderdale United (loan) 0 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of May 31, 2026

Nicole Marie Vernis (born January 15, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for USL Super League club Fort Lauderdale United, on loan from Lexington SC. She played college soccer for the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs.

Early life

Vernis grew up in North Palm Beach, where she attended The Benjamin School. As a youth player, she also played for FC Florida and the Palm Beach Gardens Predators. In high school, she earned All‑Palm Beach County honors and was named the 2019 Sun Sentinel Palm Beach 3A‑1A Player of the Year.[2][3]

College career

Florida Gators

Vernis began her collegiate career at the University of Florida, where she played in every match in the 2020‑21 and 2021 seasons, tallying 36 appearances and contributing 3 goals offensively. In 2022, she transferred to the University of Georgia and red‑shirted that season per transfer regulations.[2]

Georgia Bulldogs

During the 2023 season with Georgia, she started 23 matches, ranking first on the team in various offensive categories including shots and assists, and scored in the NCAA Tournament second round. In 2024 she was named team captain, tied for team lead in assists, and was honored with Second Team All‑Southeastern Conference (SEC) and United Soccer Coaches (USC) All‑Southeast Region Second Team awards.[3]

Club career

Lexington SC

On January 20, 2025, Vernis signed with Lexington SC of the USL Super League.[4] She made her professional debut on February 15, 2025 against Carolina Ascent FC, and in her first half‑season she started 12 matches, scored 2 goals, and played just over 1,000 minutes. For her contributions, she was named to the USL Super League Team of the Month for February 2025.[5] Her scoring includes a goal in the season finale against DC Power FC, which ended in a 3–3 draw. In June 2025, it was announced that she would return to Lexington SC for the 2025–26 season.[6]

Lazio loan

On August 13, 2025, Lazio of Serie A Femminile announced the acquisition of Vernis on loan from Lexington.[7][8] Two months into her loan spell, Vernis was reported by Lazio as having returned to the United States without authorization from the club.[9] Vernis' agent separately claimed she had an injury and hadn't received a salary since her arrival in Italy.[10]

Return to Lexington

On January 29, 2026, Vernis was officially recalled to Lexington; she had made four appearances across all competitions for Lazio.[11] Upon her return, she helped Lexington win the league championship and the Players' Shield, making them the first team to complete the league double.[12]

Fort Lauderdale United loan

On July 31, 2026, Vernis was sent back on loan to fellow league club Fort Lauderdale United for the entire fall season.[13]

Honors and awards

Georgia Bulldogs

Lexington SC

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Match Program" (PDF) (in Italian). SS Lazio Women 2015. p. 4. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "11 Nicole Vernis". FloridaGators.com. University of Florida. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "23 Nicole Vernis". GeorgiaDogs.com. University of Georgia. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  4. ↑ dlilian. "Lexington Sporting Club Signs Nicole Vernis to USL Super League Roster". LexSporting.com. Lexington SC. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  5. ↑ "USL Super League Team of the Month - February". USL Super League. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Lexington Sporting Club Earns 3-3 Draw against DC Power FC in Season Finale". OurSportsCentral.com. Our Sports Central. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  7. ↑ De Angelis, Michelle. "Lazio Women, Nicole Vernis è la nuova risorsa della rosa biancoceleste: il comunicato". LazioPress.it. Lazio Press. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  8. ↑ Sforza, Ginevra. "Vernis: "Pronta a dare tutto in campo. Grassadonia? Apprezzo molto il suo lavoro"". LazioPress.it. Lazio Press. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Nicole Vernis, giocatrice della Lazio femminile, scomparsa da una settimana. Il club: «Non riceve stipendi da luglio»". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). October 16, 2025. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
  10. ↑ Sforza, Ginevra. "Women, Vernis diventa un caso: assenza non autorizzata e irreperibilità. Pinzani fa chiarezza". LazioPress.it. Lazio Press. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Nicole Vernis Re-Joins Lexington Sporting Club from Loan Stint". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Kassouf, Jeff (May 30, 2026). "Lexington SC beats Carolina Ascent in USL Super League final". ESPN. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Nicole Vernis Joins Fort Lauderdale United FC on Loan from Lexington SC". Fort Lauderdale United FC. July 31, 2026. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Lexington SC claims the 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League Players' Shield". USL Super League. May 16, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
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