Oct. 19, 2011
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The group might be small in numbers, but the members of UCF's senior class has done big things during their time on campus. This weekend, Stacie Hubbard, Katie Jackson and Aline Reis will play their final two regular-season home contests.
The Knights will face UAB Friday at 7 p.m. at the UCF Soccer Complex before hosting No. 5 Memphis at 1 p.m. Sunday.
The trio of seniors have been members of three NCAA Tournament squads, and have also posted dozens of individual achievements.
A midfielder, Hubbard has totaled four goals this year, including three game-winning tallies. The Jacksonville native has appeared in 82 career games with 67 starts and has recorded seven career goals and six career assists. Fellow midfielder Jackson has played in 85 matches with 49 starts and has tallied 15 goals and 14 assists. Reis has appeared in 77 contests with 75 starts at goalkeeper and has compiled a 46-18-11 career record with 25 shutouts.
Hubbard was a Conference USA All-Freshman Team pick in 2008. A year ago, Jackson recorded 19 points and earned All-C-USA First Team and NSCAA All-Central Region Second Team honors. Reis has garnered plenty of accolades, including NSCAA All-America Second Team recognition as a redshirt freshman in 2008 and spots on the all-league first team in 2009 and 2010.
The honors are impressive, but UCF head coach Amanda Cromwell is more pleased with the winning attitude that the seniors have helped develop with the Knights.
"These three have been huge. They have made sure that we are competitive every year," Cromwell said. "They have helped set the culture for the team. They have been great leaders on and off the field. They have set the tone."
Although their collegiate careers are coming to a close, Hubbard, Jackson and Reis still have much to accomplish this season. At 9-2-5 overall, the Knights are in the hunt for yet another spot in the postseason. The Knights are listed at No. 20 in the NCAA RPI, a key component used to determine squads that make the postseason. And with leaders like the three seniors, expect UCF to have more success at the end of this season.
"They all have the same goals and mindset. They want to be champions and get further than we ever have," Cromwell said.