Box Score
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By Jenna Marina
UCFKnights.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The No. 21 UCF women's soccer team is Sweet 16 bound.
The Knights (18-4-0) took down No. 9 and fourth-seed Wisconsin (19-3-2) on Friday afternoon at the Seminole Soccer Complex in a thrilling 3-2 victory that clinched their second Sweet 16 berth since 2011.
UCF is slated to face top-seeded FSU on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Tallahassee, Fla.
"This team deserves it. I'm so proud of the fight they displayed today and the togetherness," UCF head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. "They were so united. The communication and just the will power that they had to make this happen today was unbelievable. Really proud."
Wisconsin entered the match on a seven-game shutout streak, and moreover, allowed just one goal in its last 10 outings. The Big Ten Tournament champion hung its hat all season on its defense, which ranked second for shutout percentage and third for goals-against average nationally heading into the weekend.
UCF stunned the Badgers early as seniors Tatiana Coleman and Jennifer Martin had a give and go on the right sideline that Coleman carried with her down into Wisconsin territory. She crossed it into junior forward Ashley Spivey, and her header went past Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year, Genevieve Richard, to the right post. It was her 10th goal of the year.
Coleman got in on the fun with a goal of her own in the 22nd minute. She combined with Martin again, this time in the box. Martin forwarded the ball to Coleman and although her initial shot was deflected, the speedy forward was quick to chase the rebound and got to the ball before Richard could regain composure.
Wisconsin made things interesting when Kodee Williams, who led the Big Ten in game-winning goals this season, slipped it low to the left corner in the 76th minute.
But Coleman gave UCF some breathing room when she beat the keeper for the second time of the day in the 82nd minute. Taking the ball on her own on a breakaway, she sent it low into the center of the net for her third multi-goal game and sixth game-winner of the year. She now ties for second in UCF's record book for single-season game-winning goals.
"With this team, it just means everything to me. We've worked so hard," Coleman said. "Credit to Wisconsin they had a great defense but we always find a way to break through that. I don't think statistics or anything matters at this point. It's postseason and anything can happen. I think we really broke through it and put it away."
Micaela Powers gave the Badgers one last chance at staying in the game when she headed in a corner from Rose Lavelle by the far post. But in the 87th minute, the Badgers had run out of time and magic.
UCF earned its first win in the NCAA Tournament against the Badgers in program history (previously 0-2) and recorded its first win over Wisconsin since 1983. UCF's three goals marked the most an opponent had scored on the Badgers all season. The Knights were just the third team to score multiple goals in a game against them.
Throughout the year, UCF nabbed wins over the Big 12 (Texas, TCU); Pac-12 (Oregon State); SEC (Ole Miss, Georgia); and ACC (Miami). With Friday's win, the Knights got the last piece to their Power 5 puzzle - the Big Ten.
Friday night's win also marked UCF's first victory over a top-10 team since 2009. Although the Knights advanced past No. 3 North Carolina in penalty kicks in the 2011 Sweet 16, it was technically ruled a tie.