Aug. 13, 2011
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By Jordean Matthews
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFathletics.com) - In front of an impressive crowd of nearly 700 at the opening of the newly expanded UCF Soccer Stadium, the UCF women's soccer team fell, 2-1, to Texas A&M in an exhibition contest Saturday night. The Knights played well, dominating much of the play in the late stages, but was unable to get the equalizer.
"It was encouraging for a lot of reasons and I think we got better as the game went on," head coach Amanda Cromwell said following the game. "We created more chances and had more shots and goal-scoring opportunities late. We saw some things that we need to make adjustments on and we were happy that some of the younger players came in and played well.
"Moving forward, we had players who did not play tonight that we know will play this season, so we will begin to incorporate them starting Friday," Cromwell added.
The game was played in three periods rather than the usual two 45-minute halves. The first period was the standard time, while the second half was broken up into two 30-minute periods.
UCF dominated the final 60 minutes of play as they had all nine of its corner kicks in that period. The Knights also outshot the Aggies, 22-14, in the game, including 11 in the second period and 17 total after the first 45 minutes of play.
UCF shook off the rust of the offseason in a hurry as it put five shots on goal in the first 20 minutes. Despite the Knights' strong play in the opening frame, the Aggies got on the board first as Annie Kunz put a loose ball in the goal box into the back of the net.
Midway through the second, the Knights tied the score after Texas A&M's Renee McDermott made three-straight saves in a flurry of UCF action. Finally, Conference USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Tishia Jewell (Satellite Beach, Fla.) put a rebound into the far left corner of the net, over the downed McDermott, to tie the game, 1-1.
Texas A&M's Kelley Monogue scored the go-ahead goal with 16 minutes left, putting a shot into the far corner of the goal.
UCF had a great scoring chance with just under seven minutes remaining in the contest as junior Nicolette Radovcic (Rockaway, N.J.) split two defenders inside the 18-yard box and put a high shot on goal that Aggies' keeper Jordan Day knocked aside.
Junior Andrea Rodrigues (St. Petersburg, Fla.) nearly tied it with another great UCF chance five minutes later. A quick move just outside the top of the box shook off a defender and gave Rodrigues a clear look at the goal, but pushed the shot just over the crossbar.
The Knights will begin the regular season on Friday, Aug. 19 as they take on in-state rival USF at 7 p.m. at the UCF Soccer Stadium. That game will be broadcast live on Bright House Sports Network with Dave Bauman and Scott Adams handling the play-by-play and color duties.