Aline Debuts in RioAline Debuts in Rio

Aline Debuts in Rio

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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - One of UCF's most decorated student-athletes in school history made her national team and Olympic debut at the Rio Games. Aline Reis, who was an All-American goalkeeper for the Knights' women's soccer team from 2007-11, started in goal for Brazil in its final pool play match against South Africa.

Reis' first appearance for her home nations National Team couldn't have been more memorable. she started in Aug. 9's match against South Africa – the team's third match of the Olympics – and played all 90 minutes in goal, recording two saves to secure a shutout in the 0-0 tie

Fantastic save by @AlineReisGK to stop great Kgatlana effort! (Video: BBC)#Rio2016 #RSA #BRA #RSABRA #football pic.twitter.com/E5ApsC5mXQ

Reis was called up to Brazil's National Team Camp in February with no guarantees of a spot on the Olympic roster. She had never competed in a match for Brazil's National Team before Tuesday night.

As Brazil's reserve goalkeeper, Reis said she takes great pride in her role on the team and has always approached each day with a "starter's mentality."

"If I'm the reserve, I believe the starting goalkeeper deserves nothing less from me. I want to push her so she can also perform her best, I know this way I'm helping the team, as well," she wrote in a message to UCF Alumni. "But I have never lost faith, and I knew that if I had the opportunity to play in a game, I would be ready for it. Thankfully, the opportunity did come! It was magical! The best part of it was listening to the whole stadium sing our national anthem. Words cannot describe that moment."

Reis posted a shutout that included a couple of magical saves as she backstopped her squad to a nil-nil draw. Brazil finished atop its group with seven points in order to move on to the quarterfinals.

During her career at UCF, Reis was an NSCAA All-America selection as a sophomore; a Hermann Trophy Watch List member in 2009; a four-time NSCAA all-region and Conference USA all-conference honoree; a member of the Lowe's Senior CLASS first team; and a two-time NSCAA College Scholar All-American.


Reis still ranks second in UCF's record book for career saves and fourth for shutouts. In her senior year, she led UCF to NCAA Elite Eight for the first time since 1987.