ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) -- The UCF women's soccer team's spring season is a wrap, and the campaign was a successful one. UCF went undefeated during spring play, posting a 4-0-1 record with four shutouts.
"One of the most positive things about spring season is that it's a nice opportunity for us to try new things or develop as a team without the pressure that goes along with fall season," UCF head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. "It allows players to compete in games and have that opportunity to shine or prove themselves or learn a new position."
The Knights outscored their opponents, 11-1, giving up their only goal over five matches against FIU.
| Opponent | Decision |
| UNF | W, 2-0 |
| at Jacksonville | T, 0-0 |
| Rollins | W, 5-0 |
| FIU | W, 3-1 |
| at USF | W, 2-0 |
Roberts Sahaydak mentioned the team had variety in its attack and saw a lot of different names score goals. She was also pleased with the way UCF capped the season in its 2-0 win at rival USF. Both goals were scored in the final 10 minutes by rising junior Morgan Ferrara.
"It was definitely a great way to end our spring, on a really positive performance. I thought that was our best match from start to finish," Roberts Sahaydak said.
The spring season has also been a way for some Knights to ease into things. Midfielder Amanda Wilkin, who missed the fall due to injury, played in all five matches. Early enrollee Julia Ekholm, who joined the team in January from Sweden, saw time at both center back and outside back on UCF's defensive line.
"We got the opportunity to see Julia in both positions and she has done really well. She's saying that it's getting hot already," Roberts Sahaydak said with a laugh. "Having this time to get acclimated is definitely going to help her. She's a technical player. She strikes the ball very well and she's smart."
While the Knights lost their entire midfield to graduation (Ashley Spivey, Megan Fish, Madison Barney), Roberts Sahaydak said she isn't worried about the position. Several veteran players on the team, including Wilkin, Kayla Adamek and Bridget Callahan, all have experience in addition to the several talented midfielders UCF signed to its incoming freshman class.
"We lost three starters but that's going to be a position that's going to be very competitive I think," Roberts Sahaydak said.
Nine rookies will join the team in the fall that features 12 returning players who clocked time in at least 10 matches last year. Among those returners include American Athletic Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year Carol Rodrigues and all-conference picks Adamek (first team) and Vera Varis (rookie team; all-tournament team).
Roberts Sahaydak will serve her fourth season at the helm of the program, which earned its 20th NCAA Tournament berth last season.