Sept. 19, 2008
Final Stats
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Concluding its 2008 non-conference schedule, the No. 18 UCF women's soccer team suffered a 3-2 loss to No. 21 Kansas Friday at the UCF Soccer Complex on a Jayhawk goal in the 82nd minute. The Knights will now bring a 5-2-1 overall record into Conference USA play next weekend.
"It was a really good soccer game and the fans got a fun game to watch," said head coach Amanda Cromwell. "There was a lot scoring and back-and-forth action. The way we were attacking I thought we were going to score four goals tonight since we were hitting on all cylinders. But that's soccer sometimes. It's the game we hate and it's the game we love."
The loss to the Jayhawks (6-1-0) was UCF's first at home since the 2006 season, snapping a string of 16-straight (12-0-4) home matches without a loss, while it also ended the Knights' overall unbeaten streak at six matches (5-0-1).
The Knights completed the evening with a season-high 22 shots, 10 of which were on goal. They busted out for 16 attempts in the second half alone. Conversely, Kansas had 16 shots for the game, nine in the final half.
With a large crowd on hand, they quickly had reason to cheer as the Knights got on the board in the ninth minute. Controlling the action on the left side, junior Yvonne George (Winter Springs, Fla.) found a lane and snuck past the Kansas defense. Although still far from the net and keeper Julie Hanley, George ripped a 31-yard shot just over Hanley's outstretched paws and into the top right corner. It was her second goal of the season.
However, the lead would not hold up. Off a corner in the 26th minute, Katie Williams headed a perfect ball past freshman Aline Reis (Campinas, Brazil) and into the back of the net to even things at 1-1. The Jayhawks then grabbed the lead in the 39th minute on a 10-yard shot from Kelsey Clifton.
Although it trailed going into the break, UCF's offense still secured chances in the second half with junior Becca Thomas (Burlington, Wash.) and senior Danielle Dos Santos (Campinas, Brazil) each putting shots on net. But each time Hanley was there to help KU keep the one-goal advantage. Dos Santos was again pressuring in the 60th minute and as she crept into the box, drew a foul to help UCF earn a penalty kick.
As Thomas set up for the potential tying goal, Hanley stayed in position to turn aside the initial attempt. But Thomas rushed in for the rebound and easily snuck it home to make it 2-2. It was her team-leading fourth of the year.
Not satisfied with a 2-2 deadlock, the Knights continued to pressure yet could not tally the go-ahead marker. Their best chance came with just under 12 minutes remaining in the stanza. After dazzling the crowd with some highlight-reel ball-handling skills, senior Hanna Wilde (Westlake, Ohio) delivered a pass to George who quickly sent a 22-yard shot off the crossbar.
That break helped Kansas retake the lead for good in the 82nd minute. Taking a long pass from Katie Williams, Emily Cressy had a one-on-one chance and placed a shot into the top right corner for the game-winner.
With the non-conference season in the rear-view mirror, UCF opens Conference USA play at UAB Sept. 26 and at Memphis Sept. 28. The Knights are looking to repeat on last year's success in which they claimed a share of the regular-season title.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
Postgame Notes
No. 21 Kansas (6-1-0) - 3
No. 18 UCF (5-2-1) - 2
Goals: UCF Yvonne George (2) 9th, KU Katie Williams (2) 26th, KU Kelsey Clifton (1) 39th, UCF Becca Thomas (4) 60th, KU Emily Cressy (5) 82nd
-A total of 529 fans came out to catch the Knights in action, the largest crowd of the season.
-UCF fell to 2-2-0 against top-25 teams this year.
-UCF had a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.
-Goalkeeper Aline Reis made one save against the Jayhawks.
-Yvonne George and Becca Thomas paced the Knights' offense with four shots apiece.
-UCF has scored two goals in each of its last four matches.