Oct. 5, 2006
ORLANDO - After opening up its sophomore campaign in Conference USA with strong wins over No. 9 Rice and Houston, the UCF women's soccer team aims to remain unbeaten as league opponents Memphis and UAB visit Orlando this weekend. The Golden Knights (6-4-1, 2-0-0 C-USA) take on the Tigers (5-4-2, 1-0-1) on Friday at 7 p.m. then face the Blazers (4-6-0, 2-0-0) on Sunday at 1 p.m.
UCF has enjoyed tremendous success as of late, winning its last three consecutive matches dating back to a 2-1 victory over UC Santa Barbara on Sept. 24. The team has scored eight goals during that time with three coming off the boot of senior Roberta Pelarigo, the reigning C-USA Offensive Player of the Week. Freshman Becca Thomas (Burlington, Wash./Homeschooled) has contributed three as well.
The Golden Knights have also stepped up their defensive play, allowing only two goals in the past three matches. On Monday, junior goalkeeper Jennifer Manis (Pensacola, Fla./Washington HS) received C-USA Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season and earned a spot on Soccer America's Team of the Week. She has posted a 1.16 goals-against-average (GAA) in 11 games.
Memphis boasts one of the nation's top 25 offensive players in senior Shoko Mikami. She leads the league in points per game with 1.82, while she and teammate Kylie Hayes share second place in goals scored with eight each. The Tigers' junior goalkeeper Isabel Briones is listed second in the conference with a 0.77 GAA.
After defeating Marshall and East Carolina during opening weekend, UAB joins UCF and SMU atop the league standings with a 2-0 mark. Junior Sally Palmer leads the Blazer offense with four goals and an assist for nine points, while senior Julie McFarlane has a 1.25 GAA in eight matches.
UCF is 1-0 against Memphis all-time and also leads the series against UAB at 1-0-1. The Golden Knights defeated both teams on the road last year.
Fans who attend the games this weekend are reminded to park on the fourth and fifth levels of the East Parking Garage (at the South end of field) due to an event in the arena.
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.