Sept. 6, 2014
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By Jenna Marina
UCFKnights.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - As Friday night turned into early Saturday morning, the No. 17 UCF women's soccer team was still plugging away in overtime looking to keep its perfect 12-0 series record at home against FAU intact.
With 50 seconds to go on the clock, the Knights (3-1) finally broke through thanks to Alex Piercy's first game-winner of the year.
"I was so up and anxious. I didn't want to play another overtime. It was late. I thought no matter what I do, I'm going to get my foot on the ball," Piercy said. "I'm so happy, so excited that we could come out with the win."
The Knights' doubleheader was delayed when a heavy thunderstorm pushed back the men's kickoff time from 5 p.m. to 8 o'clock. After their thrilling last-second penalty kick to clinch the win, the women wasted no time getting on to the field more than two-and-a-half hours after their scheduled kickoff.
"Before the game we just talked about no matter what the weather is, or who we're playing, it's anyone's game," Piercy said. "We just wanted to treat this as the best game we could play. We came through in the end."
UCF had some quality chances on goal in the first half. Senior Kayla Darden was shorted on two opportunities, the first coming at the 17-minute mark when a free kick found its way into the forward, and her attempt was thwarted by an Owls defender on the goal line.
Darden nearly scored again with 11 minutes remaining off Jennifer Martin's corner, but FAU keeper Sydney Drinkwater came up with the save.
Junior Ashley Spivey also rocketed a shot toward the net that Drinkwater managed to get a hand on with less than four minutes before the break.
In the 60th minute, defender Caroline Bado's shot from outside the box hit the crossbar, and the game still stayed scoreless at the 82-minute mark after Drinkwater dived to her right to deflect Martin's shot.
Midnight came and went, and it wasn't until the clock started to count down from the final minute that freshman Hannah DeBose was able to take one touch in the left corner to advance the ball to Martin, who crossed it through to Piercy finishing near the right post for the thrilling win.
The Knights travel to Georgia for a 1 p.m. Sunday matchup set to broadcast on ESPN3.
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.