FORT MYERS, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF women's soccer team might be the new Cardiac Kids, after another exciting finish against FGCU extends the Knights' winning streak to four.
Tied at three in the 86th minute, senior Carol Rodrigues blasted a bicycle kick on goal and junior Hannah DeBose was there to put back the rebound. The goal would turn out to be the game winner as thunder storms moved in and lightning would delay the match indefinitely per NCAA rule 7.6.
FGCU got on the board early, finding the back of the net in just the sixth minute. The Eagles would add another tally in the 30th minute extending the lead to 2-0.
The Knights responded though, when junior Jen Vera sent a long ball into the offensive zone. Senior Carlin Huegli won a foot race with the FGCU keeper and placed a perfect chip shot, cutting the lead to one.
The Eagles reclaimed a two goal lead in the second half, but the Black and Gold refused to quit. In the 62nd minute, senior Carol Rodrigues brought the Knights back to life, when she collected her own rebound in the box and scored her seventh goal of the season.
Before the late goal by DeBose sealed the victory, it was junior Bridget Callahan who found the equalizer in the 80th minute on a set piece delivered by sophomore Carrie Lawrence. The Knights have now won four-straight, with three of those wins coming from goals in the final 10 minutes or overtime.
Offense All Around
* Four different Knights tallied goals in the win, bringing the season total to 20 goals by 11 different players.
* Senior Carlin Huegli and juniors Bridget Callahan and Hannah DeBose each notched their 1st goals of the season.
* Vera, Lawrence and Rodrigues were each credited with assists in the match. It was the first of the year for Vera and Rodrigues.
* The Knights are now 12-1-1 over the last two seasons when Rodrigues scores.
Miscellaneous Mentions
* The Knights improve to 4-0-1 all-time against FGCU and are now 20-4-2 in the month of September under Roberts Sahaydak.
* Sophomore Maura Aman, who logged 125 minutes as a reserve this season, got her first start of the year and played 69 minutes against the Eagles.
* UCF scored 3 unanswered goals in the last 30 minutes to complete the comeback against FGCU.
* The last time the Knights won four-straight was a five-game streak to close out the 2015 regular season.
Next Up
* UCF Women's Soccer, Presented by Napleton's Volkswagon, heads to Gainesville, Fla. to face the No. 5 Gators on Sunday Sept. 18 at 7pm.
