Oct. 26, 2011
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By Andrew Jennette
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF women's soccer team will look to bounce back as the Knights hit the road for the final game of the regular season against Conference USA foe Southern Miss. The action takes place on Friday as the Knights will face the Golden Eagles at 5 p.m. in Hattiesburg, Miss.
The Knights are looking to finish their regular season on a high note as they currently hold an overall record of 10-3-5 with a 5-2-3 mark in conference play. UCF currently sits in fourth place in the C-USA standings and will look to improve its seeding before next Wednesday's C-USA tournament.
Friday's opponent, Southern Miss, is 4-12-3 on the season with a 1-8-1 record in C-USA. The Golden Eagles are coming off a thrilling overtime victory over UAB on Oct. 23 which gave the Golden Eagles their first win of the season in conference play.
This was Southern Miss' first conference victory since the 2008 season when they also defeated UAB in overtime, 1-0, in Birmingham. Goalkeeper Hannah Vanderboegh, one of four seniors who were honored before the Golden Eagles' contest, added six saves in the victory. On the year, Vanderboegh has 98 saves which is the second best single-season total in program history. With one game remaining, Vanderboegh needs four saves to tie the record and five to break it.
UCF enters the season finale having outscored its opponents 27-15 and out-shot its opponents 260-185 on the season. UCF also holds a significant advantage in corner kick totals having taken 92 compared to just 58 from its opponents on the season. The Knights' offense is led by junior forward Tishia Jewell who is second in C-USA in points with 20. Hot on her heels is fellow junior forward Nicolette Radovcic who is tied for seventh in the conference with 16 points. Senior goalkeeper Aline Reis has played every minute in goal for the Knights this season and ranks third in the conference in save percentage, goals against average and shutouts.
Last weekend, the Knights hosted their final two home games of the season against UAB and No. 5 Memphis. UCF defeated UAB, 1-0, on Oct. 21 to extend its unbeaten streak to eight games as Radovcic provided the only score of the game. Reis recorded her fifth consecutive shutout in the contest. The Knights then had their streak snapped as they were defeated 3-0 by C-USA leader Memphis on Oct. 23. UCF did not allow a goal in the first half, but saw the Tigers put three in the net in the second half to remain undefeated on the season.