June 11, 2013
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By Jenna Marina
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - On July 1, UCF will officially become a member of the American Athletic Conference. As the Knights get ready to close the chapter on their time in Conference USA, UCFAthletics.com counts down the top-10 women's soccer players of the C-USA era. Here's a look at the top-five:
5. Roberta Pelarigo (2005-06) Although she only suited up for the Knights for two seasons after transferring from Young Harris College (Ga.), Roberta Pelarigo made a lasting impact. She led the Knights in goals and points in both 2005 and 2006 and was lauded as a two-time All-Conference USA First Team honoree. She is still tied for eighth in program history for career game-winning goals (8).
4. Marissa Diggs (2010-current) The only current player to appear on the list, Marissa Diggs is already an NSCAA All-American and a C-USA Defensive Player of the Year. She has been praised as a three-time all-conference and two-time all-region honoree. She was named the 2012 C-USA Tournament Defensive MVP after guiding the Knights to three-straight shutouts on the road to their first C-USA Tournament title. As UCF embarks on its inaugural year in the American Athletic Conference, Diggs will look to recapture some of the magic from 2012 that saw UCF finish the season ranked second nationally for goals against average (.524) - a program best during the C-USA era - and break the school record for most shutouts in a season (15).
3. Becca Thomas (2006-09) Becca Thomas was an All-American on the field and in the classroom. She was voted the 2009 C-USA Midfielder of the Year after leading UCF with eight assists and a team-best 16 points in C-USA matches. She finished her tenure as a two-time all-conference first team selection while penning her name in the UCF record book for career assists (29) and game-winning goals (10). During her career, she guided the team to two C-USA regular season titles.
2. Tishia Jewell (2009-12) One of the most decorated players in UCF women's soccer history, Tishia Jewell was named an All-American, a Scholar All-American, a Hermann Trophy Watch Lister, the 2010 Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and the 2012 Senior CLASS Award winner. She is the program's all-time leader for assists (36) and ranks sixth for total points (84). She was a three-time all-region selection and a four-time all-conference honoree, which included three appointments to the first team. With Jewell in uniform, the Knights won three conference championships and advanced to four NCAA Tournaments, including their unforgettable run to the Elite Eight in 2011.
1. Aline Reis (2007-11) The significance of Aline Reis' career can be summed up in one perfect moment: Her diving save of midfielder Ranee Premji's final PK attempt for perennial powerhouse North Carolina in the 2011 NCAA Sweet 16. The moment her hands snatched the ball, Reis ensured her team's berth to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987. It's arguably the shining moment of the highlight reel that was her tenure as a Knight. An All-American and two-time Scholar All-American, Reis was lauded as a Hermann Trophy Watch List candidate, a four-time all-region and all-conference honoree and a Senior CLASS finalist. She ranks second in school history for career saves (347), fourth for shutouts (27) and sixth for goals-against average (1.04).