Sept. 5, 2005
ORLANDO - First half goals by junior Roberta Pelarigo and freshman Jessica Newport gave the UCF women's soccer team a 2-1 win over Buffalo in the final match of the UCF Invitational on Monday afternoon at the UCF Soccer Complex.
The Golden Knights (2-2) went up 1-0 in the third minute when Pelarigo scored far side on a cross from freshman midfielder Hanna Wilde. Just over three minutes later, Newport took a thru ball from junior midfielder Kate McCain and scored low to the right side for 2-0 lead.
UCF continued to pressure the ball and controlled the game territorially throughout the match. The Bulls (1-2-1) would record their first - and only - shot of the opening half at the 30 minute mark.
The Bulls found more opportunities in the second half, including a shot by Natalia Crofut that hit the crossbar in the 58th minute. Erica Mincher halted UCF's hope of a shutout when she collected the ball during a scuffle in the box and scored low to the right side with just under a minute remaining in regulation.
The Golden Knights outshot Buffalo, 7-1, in the first period and finished with a 14-7 advantage in the match. UCF also owned a 6-2 margin in corner kicks.
Freshman keeper Jennifer Manis stopped two shots in the winning effort, while Anna-Lesa Calvert made seven saves for the Bulls.
Defense was key for the Golden Knights as sophomore defender Jessica Hallgren was named the UCF Invitational's most valuable defensive player. Sophomore defender Stacey George and Pelarigo also earned spots on the all-tournament team.
In the earlier match, Kelly Renie and Amy Bayles tallied goals as Ole Miss (4-0) shutout Kent State (2-2) by a score of 2-0. Rebel Jennifer Hance was selected as the tournament's most valuable offensive player.
The Golden Knights return to action on Sept. 7 when they host FSU for a 5:30 p.m. match at the UCF Soccer Complex.
All-Tournament Team
Jessica Roesch - Buffalo
Natalia Crofut - Buffalo
Lisa Kurz - Kent State
Wendy Gamble - Kent State
Christine Breaux - Ole Miss
Amy Gill - Ole Miss
Megan Vickery - Ole Miss
Stacey Emmonds - Ole Miss
Jennifer Hance - Ole Miss (Offensive MVP)
Jessica Hallgren - UCF (Defensive MVP)
Roberta Pelarigo - UCF
Stacey George - UCF