Sept. 4, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Completing last week with two-straight victories, the No. 29 UCF women's soccer team hits the road this weekend with a long flight to California. The Knights are set to take on Pacific Friday at 10 p.m. ET, as well as UC Davis Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
The trip marks the fourth time UCF has traveled to the Golden State. In 1990, the Black and Gold dropped contests to Santa Clara and California, then lost two to UC Irvine and San Diego State in 1997. Its most recent journey came in 2005 where UCF fell to Pepperdine but bounced back to defeat UC Santa Barbara. This season will be the first meeting with Pacific, however the Knights defeated UC Davis last year in Orlando to win the UCF Invitational.
UCF remains at No. 29 in the latest Soccer Buzz rankings, and it has remained in the top 30 for the last four polls dating back to the 2007 season. It holds a 2-1-0 overall record with victories over then-No. 19 Florida and Hartford, and a road loss to then-No. 4 Florida State.
Leading the way in those wins was junior Yvonne George. The Winter Springs native scored the game-winner at Florida and assisted on the GWG scored by junior Becca Thomas against Hartford. Her efforts enabled her to claim her third career Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week award. In net, redshirt freshman Aline Reis recorded her first two shutouts as a Knight by making eight saves vs. UF and three more vs. the Hawks.
Pacific brings in a 2-2-0 record into this week's action, topping Sacramento State, 2-0, and Nevada, 1-0, only to suffer losses to Stanford, 5-0, and UNLV, 1-0. Kristina Wavomba has collected two of the Tigers' three goals, while Amanda McNab has played all 360 minutes in net, posting a 1.50 goals-against average with 16 saves.
In nearby Davis, Calif., the Aggies are 1-2-1, picking up a 3-2 win over Fresno State and a 0-0 tie vs. San Jose State. Their two losses have come at the hands of Saint Mary's and Navy, both 2-1 overtime defeats. UC Davis has amassed 77 shots compared to 35 by its opponents, and Rochelle VanBuskirk has converted two of her 15 shots into goals.
Following the trip to the west coast, UCF opens up a three-game homestand at the UCF Soccer Complex. The Knights battle Illinois State Sept. 12, No. 11 Illinois Sept. 14 and No. 20 Kansas Sept. 19.
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.