Nov. 2, 2014
Box Score
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By Jenna Marina
UCFKnights.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The No 19 UCF women's soccer team made quite an opening statement in its 4-0 quarterfinal victory over SMU on Sunday.
The Knights scored three goals in the first 9:23 of play to advance to the American Athletic Conference Championship semifinals on Friday in Tampa where they will meet UConn, who handed UCF its only loss of the conference season this year.
"I think it's perfect that we get to have another opportunity against UConn. It's a great opportunity for us to learn some lessons from the first match and be able to come back and put together what we weren't able to put together last time," UCF head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. "We had a great team effort today. Our starting group did a fantastic job of coming out really strong, on fire, very enthusiastic. Your performance will follow your attitude and I think their attitude today was to come out and do business and they were able to do that early. Overall everyone contributed and it was a great attitude and mentality from our team today."
Junior forward Ashley Spivey netted two of UCF's four goals in the match, including her third-game winner of the season.
She started it off when a cross into the box was misjudged by SMU keeper Lauren Bodden. Bodden tried to bat the ball over the crossbar, but instead it fell back into play and Jennifer Martin crossed it to the right, far post where Spivey was waiting to put it away while the SMU keeper was out of position.
In the 8th minute, midfielder Megan Fish drew a foul from 20 yards out to set up defender Karoline Heinze with a free kick. She sent the ball into the box where forward Kayla Darden headed it in for her fourth goal of the year.
"It was, on my end, the easiest thing because [Karoline] placed the ball so perfectly," Darden said. "It came right to my head. I really didn't even have to take but one or two steps, and then just back of the net. It was nice."
Less than 70 seconds later, Spivey connected with the back of the net again when she took the ball up field on a breakaway. Composed, she sent it low to the right post to cap a 3-0 lead before the clock had reached the 10-minute mark.
UCF redshirt sophomore Carlin Huegli came in off the bench to score her first career goal just before the halftime break. Defender Sophie Howard threaded a beautiful pass to Huegli on the right side of the box, and she sent it diagonally past Bodden to the left, back corner for the 4-0 edge.
UCF managed the game the rest of the way to remain undefeated on its home field in conference play for the 17th-consecutive match dating back to Oct. 7, 2012. The Knights clinched their 13th shutout of the year. Moreover, UCF has not allowed an opponent to score on its home turf in a consecutive 845:31.
"It feels so amazing. I don't want it to end," Darden said of the postseason win. "I'm just excited to keep the train rolling. We're not going to stop. We're looking for a championship in the NCAA (Tournament)."
The semifinal matchups will broadcast on the American Digital Network at 5 and 7:30 p.m., and the winners of both will go on to meet in Sunday's final at 11 a.m. on ESPNU.
The victor of the American Championship will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The selection show will air at 4:30 p.m. on ncaa.com on Monday, Nov. 10. The Knights have earned 18 berths to the Big Dance, including an active streak of seven-consecutive appearances.
Tickets are available for purchase.
UCF soccer is presented by Napleton's Volkswagen. For more information on how to purchase tickets, visit UCFKnights.com or call 407-UCF-1000.