Nov. 19, 2011
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Following a historic win over Florida, the UCF women's soccer team is ready for an NCAA Championship Sweet 16 showdown with North Carolina Sunday in Gainesville. The Knights, who posted a 3-2 victory over the Gators Friday, will face the Tar Heels at 1 p.m. at Pressly Stadium.
Thanks to the win over the No. 2 seed Gators, UCF (13-4-5) advanced past the second round of the championship for the first time since 1987, when it went all the way to the national semifinals.
No. 3 seed North Carolina blasted Baylor, 5-0, in second round action Friday. The Tar Heels are 13-5-1 overall this season. They jumped out to a 4-0 lead at halftime Friday, and limited the Bears to only three shots on goal.
In the win against Florida, Nicolette Radovcic, Madison Barney and Kristina Trujic all recorded goals. Aline Reis was solid again for the Knights, registering five saves.
"It is huge to beat a quality team like Florida, and also be in the Sweet 16," UCF head coach Amanda Cromwell said. "We'll be facing UNC, who have been perennial champions. This is what it is all about. You want to play the best to be the best. That is the mentality of our players right now."
The Knights last met North Carolina in 2009.
The winner of the UCF-North Carolina matchup will meet either No. 1 seed Wake Forest or No. 4 seed Penn State next weekend in the quarterfinals. The Knights faced both Wake Forest and Penn State this year, and registered a 2-1 victory over the Nittany Lions.
Tickets to Sunday's match are $7 for adults, $3 for children up to age 12 and senior citizens. Tickets will be available at the Pressly Stadium box office prior to the game.