Aug. 29, 2014
Box Score
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By Jenna Marina
UCFKnights.com
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (UCFKnights.com) - The No. 18 UCF women's soccer team couldn't find a way to slow down No. 7 Texas A&M on Friday night, dropping a 3-0 decision.
Although the Knights (1-1) had the advantage on the box score in both shots and corners, keeper Renee McDermott was a force with seven saves while the Aggie offense (3-0) made good on their opportunities to skate to the win in front of the lively 5,634 in attendance.
"A&M is a really good team so credit to them, they finished their chances. I think it was really positive that we played against a tough opponent in that type of environment early on in the season," UCF head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. "We're positive about the team's fight tonight. Even though we didn't get the result or a goal, we continued to fight and create chances until the end. It's a testament to our team chemistry and togetherness. We'll be a better team now because we were stretched tonight."
Senior Kelley Monogue struck first in the ninth minute off an assist from Stephanie Malherbe, sending a dart past a diving Connie Organ.
Shea Groom gave Texas A&M's famous 12th Man reason to let confetti fly onto the field again when she scored less than three minutes later from 15 yards out to the inside of the left post for a 2-0 advantage.
UCF senior Jennifer Martin nearly answered when she beat her defender for a nice look at the net with 29 minutes to go in the half, forcing the goalkeeper to deflect her attempt over the crossbar.
Things remained quiet until 16 seconds before halftime when Monogue snuck in her second goal of the game off an untouched corner.
Neither team could get much going in the second half, but Organ kept the score stagnant with 15 minutes to play when she stopped Haley Pounds' breakaway attempt.
UCF fought until the end as sophomore defender Caroline Bado and junior midfielder Ashley Spivey both had attempts saved in the last five minutes of the match.
The Knights look to bounce back when they meet TCU for the first time in program history on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. The match will be available online via FrogVision for a fee.
UCF soccer is presented by Napleton's Volkswagen. Season tickets are now available for $30, good for one-general admission seat to all 2014 regular season home matches. As a bonus, season-ticket holders will also receive a special soccer scarf. The GOLD Pass, which includes one general admission seat for all home men's soccer, women's soccer, volleyball, softball, women's basketball and track & field events, is available for $90. For more information on how to purchase tickets, visit UCFKnights.com or call 407-UCF-1000.