Aug. 21, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - While the UCF women's soccer team had to suffer through a two-hour rain delay before it was able to open the 2009 regular season, the Knights used an impressive second-half attack to shut out Florida Gulf Coast, 2-0, Friday at the UCF Soccer Complex. Sophomores Katie Jackson and Andrea Rodrigues each registered goals as the Black and Gold outshot the Eagles, 20-5.
"At halftime we just told our players that our attack was pretty stagnant," said head coach Amanda Cromwell. "So we changed up the formation and put in some new personnel. FGCU was doing a good job of dropping in the first half and getting behind the ball. We were dribbling too much and at a condensed defense. In the second half, though, we were able to attack quicker and with a little more urgency."
Sophomore goalkeeper Aline Reis needed to make just one save for her seventh-career shutout. The Knights took 15 shots in the second half, and held FGCU to zero corner kicks for the full 90 minutes.
Both teams could not build momentum in the first half, with UCF claiming a 5-2 advantage in shots and posted three of those on net. The first attempt came at the foot of Jackson almost 17 minutes into the match.
However it took just 15 seconds for the Knights to travel the length of the pitch for their first shot of the second half, where freshman Nicollete Radovcic received a pass from senior Emily Maynard and cranked a shot that sailed just wide. In that short span of time, the Black and Gold found its rhythm, as senior Brianna Schooley, junior Lauren Halbert, Maynard and senior Becca Thomas all ripped off shots before five minutes even ticked off the clock.
The pressured continued for the Knights and they built their lead in shots to 14-2. And it was attempt No. 15 that finally lit up the scoreboard. Taking advantage of a corner kick opportunity, UCF sent the ball into the box where the Eagles tried to clear. Yet the deflection went straight to Jackson and from 21 yards out, she delivered a shot over goalkeeper Stephanie Powers and into the far left corner for UCF's first goal of the year.
Cromwell then had a feeling about Rodrigues, who came off the bench with under five minutes to go in the match. Just 25 seconds later, she found the back of the net. After taking a pass from freshman Tishia Jewell, senior Nikki Moore dribbled towards the right of the goal and sent a crossing pass in for Rodrigues, who promptly gave the Knights a 2-0 lead from six yards out in front.
The Knights will now head out on their toughest road trip of the season as they will face No. 1 North Carolina Aug. 28 and No. 11 Duke Aug. 30 in the Carolina Nike Classic.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to 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 UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
Postgame Notes
Florida Gulf Coast (0-1-0) - 0
UCF (1-0-0) - 1
Goals: Katie Jackson (1) 68th, Andrea Rodrigues (1) 86th
-The goal by Jackson was the fourth of her career, while it was the second-career marker for Rodrigues
-UCF finished with a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks.
-Yvonne George placed all three of her shots on net. Jackson and Becca Thomas each had three total shots as well.
-It was the first meeting between UCF and FGCU on the pitch.
-UCF is now 17-11-1 in season-openers.
-The Knights used a total of 20 players in the match, with keeper Aline Reis, Lauren Halbert and Christina Petrucco all playing the entire game.