Sept. 4, 2015
Box Score
OXFORD, Miss. (UCFKnights.com) -- An Ole Miss penalty kick in the first two minutes. Two second half goals by UCF junior Carol Rodrigues. A tied score in the 88th minute and two overtimes.
It might have been a rollercoaster of a night, but the Knights' 2-2 tie against the Rebels kept their four-match unbeaten streak alive Friday.
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Rodrigues came through in a big way with the first multi-goal performance of her UCF career. Her two goals in a 15-minute span got her team back into the game.
Ole Miss (3-0-2) controlled the first half thanks to its early score. The Rebels drew a corner in the first two minutes and on the ensuing kick, UCF (3-1-1) was cited for a handball penalty in the box, setting up a penalty kick for Danielle Gray. Although freshman keeper Vera Varis guessed correctly, the ball slipped past her outstretched hand.
"For me, it was really simple for what they needed to hear at halftime: Work hard, get physical, get stuck in because Ole Miss out-competed us for 45 minutes in that first half," UCF head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. "I thought we came back in the second half because we decided to fight and compete."
UCF turned things around by tying the score in the 56th minute and taking the lead in the 71st. But Ole Miss kept it interesting when CeCe Kizer netted her fifth goal of the year with 1:17 left on the clock to push the extra minutes. "Of course we always want to win but we will learn from it and get better and come back on Sunday stronger," Rodrigues said.
Friday marked the second straight game the Knights competed in a double overtime contest. They will now make a quick turnaround to play Oklahoma State at home Sunday.
In Rodrigues We Trust
? Carol Rodrigues' goals couldn't have come at a better time for UCF in the second half.
? In the 56th minute, Kayla Adamek hustled to set up a corner for UCF. Katarina Naumanen sent it in to Megan Fish, whose initial kick was blocked and couldn't get cleared. With the keeper out of position, Rodrigues was able to clean it up and put it away to breathe life back into her team.
? "I thought the goal came at a good time because the team was in need of it. I was happy that I was able to help the team as I could," Rodrigues said.
? In the 71st minute, Rodrigues capitalized again on a penalty kick. Fellow forward Cortney O'Connell was able to set up the opportunity after colliding with goalkeeper Marnie Merritt and another Rebels defender in the box, prompting a whistle.
UCF vs. Power 5
? The Knights picked up their second result over a Power 5 conference opponent on Friday night.
? After notching a win over Miami (ACC) last weekend, the Knights added a tie against the SEC.
? UCF will have a chance to add a W against the Big 12 on Sunday when Oklahoma State comes to town.
? Of UCF's eight non-conference opponents, five are from Power 5 conferences.
Next Up
? UCF plays its first home game in two weeks on Sunday at noon against Oklahoma State.
? Sunday's matchup will mark the first meeting between the two teams in program history.
? The first 100 fans to UCF's game will receive a free tank top.
Story by Jenna Marina