Aug. 18, 2011
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By Jordean Matthews
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFathletics.com) - UCF's women's soccer team will take on in-state-rival USF Friday at 7 p.m. in the first game of the regular season. The contest marks the official opening of the newly expanded UCF Soccer Stadium after the team played one exhibition match during the preseason. The game will be televised live on Bright House Sports Network and will begin the Knights regular season.
The last regular season match-up between these two teams came back on Sept. 3, 2010. The Knights defeated the Bulls, 1-0, when then-sophomore Tishia Jewell (Satellite Beach, Fla.) scored in double overtime to knock off USF.
USF enters the game after being rained out during the preseason against Florida Gulf Coast and Clemson. The Bulls finished fifth in the Big East last season and made it to the conference championship game. Despite losing in the championship tilt, the Bulls still qualified for its first NCAA appearance in program history. USF finished last season 14-6-3 overall and 6-3-2 in league play.
UCF opened the preseason in an exhibition game against reigning Big 12 Champions Texas A&M falling to the Aggies, 2-1. Jewell scored the Knights' lone goal putting a shot into the far left corner of the net to tie the game, 1-1. Efforts from junior Radovcic and Andreas Rodrigues (St. Petersburg, Fla.) helped UCF to dominate much of the second half and outshoot Texas A&M, 22-14, for the game.
UCF is 17-11-1 in regular season home openers and 4-1 over in regular season play against USF.
UCF fans will have a great opportunity to secure a spot at every game all season with the new 2011 Gold Pass. For just $75, Knights fans will receive season tickets to both soccer programs as well as volleyball in the fall and every softball game and track & field meet in the spring.
Individual game tickets for the entire season are $5 for adults and $3 for faculty/staff, youth and seniors. Admission is free for UCF students with valid school ID.
Following Friday's game, the Knights will return to action Sunday Aug. 21 against Wake Forest at 7 p.m.