Oct. 15, 2015
UCF at SMU (10-15-15) - Images by UCF Knights
DALLAS, Texas (UCFKnights.com) -- The UCF women's soccer team was determined to pick up a road win on Thursday night --- something it had been searching for since late August.
The Knights (9-5-1, 4-3-0 American) pulled through in overtime at SMU with a 2-1 victory thanks to forward Carol Rodrigues' third-straight game-winner.
Related: Box Score
"I think overtime comes down to your character and your belief," UCF head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. "I feel like we've had a bit of a mental block on the road. To be able to finally get past that road block is a great confidence builder for us."
The Knights and Cougars traded off goals in the second half within an eight-minute span. After Kayla Adamek broke through in the 70th minute, Haley Thompson responded for SMU when she regained possession from her corner kick that was cleared out of the box.
UCF prevailed with the golden goal from Rodrigues, who has been on fire lately with five goals over her last three outings. With the win, the Knights improved their unbeaten streak to six-straight in their series with SMU.
Difference Makers
? UCF forwards Kayla Adamek and Carol Rodrigues partnered up to make the difference for the women's soccer team on Thursday night.
? Rodrigues helped assist Adamek's goal after Ashley Spivey dribbled the ball up the left side and sent it to Brazilian in the middle. She forwarded to Adamek who finished it off for her fourth goal of the year.
? Adamek later returned the favor by assisting Rodrigues' game-winner in the 96th minute, sending a cross into the box from the right side.
? "I thought there was good chemistry between Carol and Kayla. They were really dangerous together," Roberts Sahaydak said. "Credit to them. I feel like things weren't always going our way tonight. We would get chances but we were having a hard time finishing them. I'm proud that they kept pushing for one and never gave up."
10-Goal Club
? Carol Rodrigues' fourth game-winner was also her 10th of the season.
? Rodrigues is now one of three American Athletic Conference players to have tallied 10 goals this year.
? Rodrigues joins Ashley Spivey as one of the top-20 leaders in NCAA Division I for game-winners (4) this season.
Up Next
? UCF plays its final road game of the regular season at Houston on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.
? The Knights are 9-0-1 all-time against the Cougars.
? Houston has not scored on UCF since 2010.
Story and photos by Jenna Marina