Sept. 29, 2006
HOUSTON, Texas - Senior forward Roberta Pelarigo (Sao Paulo, Brazil) scored the only goal as UCF upset No. 9 Rice, 1-0, in Conference USA women's soccer action at the Rice Soccer Stadium on Friday night.
The Golden Knights improved to 5-4-1 overall and 1-0-0 in C-USA. They handed the Owls their first loss of the season as the hosts dropped to 8-1-1 overall and 0-1-0 in league play.
After lightning in the area cause an hour and half delay to the start of the game, the two teams battled to a scoreless tie at intermission. UCF's best chance came off the foot of freshman Becca Thomas (Burlington, Wash./Homeschooled) in the 23rd minute, but the shot was saved by Rice goalkeeper Amy McClintock.
Both teams went without a shot in the second half until Pelarigo found the back of the net for her third goal of the season in the 61st minute.
The Owls had the opportunity to tie the game in the 76th minute on a corner kick by freshman Kellen Schugart. UCF keeper Jennifer Manis (Pensacola, Fla./Washington HS) made the save on the resulting header by senior Laura Barber.
Rice finished the match with a 10-7 advantage in shots. Manis made five saves to earn her third shutout of the year. McClintock had three saves for the Owls.
The Golden Knights remain in Texas, where they play C-USA rival Houston on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m., before returning home to host Memphis on Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.
Admission to UCF home women's soccer matches during the 2006 season is free courtesy of McDonald's. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF athletics.