Oct. 15, 2006
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Freshman Courtney Whidden (Palm Harbor, Fla./Palm Harbor University HS) recorded the first two goals of her career as UCF overpowered Marshall, 4-0, in Conference USA women's soccer action on Sunday afternoon.
Senior Roberta Pelarigo (Sao Paulo, Brazil) gave the Golden Knights (9-5-1, 5-1-0 C-USA) the early 1-0 advantage in the 29th minute when she put the ball into the open net. She was assisted by freshman Sarah de Leon (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes HS).
In the 36th minute, Whidden accepted the pass from Pelarigo and sent her shot just under the cross bar for her first collegiate goal. De Leon began the play in the midfield and recorded her second assist of the day.
Whidden's second tally came in the 59th minute when she took a cross from sophomore Stacey George (Winter Springs HS) and scored at close range.
Sophomore Lydia Jones (Melbourne HS) added UCF's final goal in the 73rd minute with an assist to Pelarigo.
The Golden Knights outshot the Thundering Herd (5-7-1, 1-4-0 C-USA) by a margin of 26-5 and also held a 3-2 advantage in corner kicks. Junior goalkeeper Jennifer Manis needed to make only one save for her fifth shutout of the year before freshman Mandi Mawyer (San Antonio, Texas/Douglas MacArthur HS) replaced her with 18 minutes remaining. Mawyer didn't make a save.
On the other end of the field, Marshall's freshman keeper Liz Orton stopped nine shots.
"The players were able to overcome some adverse field conditions and played very well," said UCF head coach Amanda Cromwell. "We knocked the ball around and looked for our chances. The players that came off the bench really added to our attack and defense. It was just a really good team effort."
The Golden Knights visit travel partner Southern Miss on Saturday, Oct. 21 for a 2 p.m. match before returning home on Friday, Oct. 27 to face No. 22 SMU in a game that will be nationally broadcast on tape delay basis by CSTV on Oct. 30 at 8 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.