Sept. 25, 2014
Box Score
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UCFKnights.com) - The No. 23 UCF women's soccer team rolled its win streak to five-straight games on Thursday night in the American Athletic Conference opener at Memphis.
The Knights (8-2-0, 1-0-0 AAC) picked up their first victory at Mike Rose Soccer Complex since 2008 after the Tigers (3-5-2, 0-1-0) netted an own goal in the 88th minute to give UCF the 2-1 decision.
"We were focused on starting strong. That was the theme for tonight," UCF head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. "Being on the road is tough. We haven't had the results on the road yet, so I thought today was going to be a big challenge, not just being on the road but starting conference against a very good team in Memphis. We were able to overcome a lot of challenges tonight, so I'm really proud of the team."
UCF claimed an early lead thanks to senior Tatiana Coleman's seventh goal of the year. The Knights regained possession in the midfield and the ball made its way to freshman Hannah DeBose on the left side. She crossed it into the box for Coleman to finish in the upper right corner in the sixth minute.
Goalkeeper Connie Organ came up with saves in the first two minutes of both halves, deflecting Kelley Gravlin's and Valerie Sanderson's shots over the crossbar to keep UCF's edge secure.
But the Knights' streak of nearly 509 consecutive-shutout minutes ended in the 68th minute when Kaitlyn Atkins sent a cross to the far, left post and Sanderson headed in the equalizer, 1-1.
Coleman took a stab at the net in the 85th minute but Memphis keeper Maryse Bard-Martel deflected it. With the clock winding down in the final minute, the ball connected with Coleman inside the box again after freshman Saga Fredriksson sent a ball in to Amanda Wilkin, who skipped it to Coleman.
Her shot was deflected once again, but this time, the Tigers' Elysia Masters couldn't avoid sending the ball into her own goal.
UCF continues its travels to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for a Sunday matinee versus the Golden Hurricane at 2 p.m. ET.
UCF soccer is presented by Napleton's Volkswagen. For more information on how to purchase tickets, visit UCFKnights.com or call 407-UCF-1000.