Nov. 16, 2012
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By Jenna Marina
UCFAthletics.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The No. 18 UCF women's soccer team ended its season on Friday night with a 1-0 loss to Florida in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Knights finished the year with a 17-5-2 record, their first Conference USA Tournament championship and the school and conference record for shutouts (15).
Despite UCF's commendable defensive effort, Florida (19-4-1) broke through in the 60th minute and managed to hang on for the win to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2008.
Florida retained much of the possession in the first half, but UCF's defense did its part to keep the Gators out of the net.
Goalkeeper Lianne Maldonado recorded four saves, including a huge diving deflection off Adriana Leon's look from the left side at the 12-minute mark, to keep the match scoreless heading into the break.
Maldonado continued to impress in the opening minutes of the second half with an outstretched deflection off her fingertips on Leon's attempt inside the box.
Florida finally got past UCF's impenetrable defense in the 60th minute when Taylor Travis scored her first goal of the year off a give and go with Erika Tymrak.
UCF's offense was never able to get into its rhythm as the Gators held the Knights to one shot - a header by Marissa Diggs in the 22nd minute that went wide.