ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – After winning two exciting matches on the road against Oklahoma State and Stetson, UCF is looking to extend the winning streak as it hosts FIU Thursday and then heads south to meet FGCU Sunday.
The Knights covered more than 2,400 miles in less than 48 hours while improving to .500 over the weekend, having both matches against the Cowgirls and Hatters decided on a penalty kick.
Senior Carol Rodrigues had three goals over the weekend, including both tallies in a 2-1 win over Stetson. She took a season high six shots with five on goal against the Hatters.
Junior Saga Fredriksson also made waves, netting the equalizer in 88th minute against Oklahoma State. Her effort extended the match to overtime where junior Morgan Ferrara buried a penalty kick, securing the 3-2 Knights victory.
Rodrigues and Fredriksson each earned American Athletic Conference weekly honors for their efforts, as Rodrigues was named Offensive Player of the Week and Fredriksson was named Defensive Player of the Week.
The winless Panthers of FIU will be the first hurdle for the Knights to get back to a winning record. History favors the Black and Gold who dominate the all-time series, and the team will enjoy the comforts of home in a match scheduled to kickoff at 7 p.m. on Sept. 8, at the UCF Soccer Complex.
The team will then head back out on the road to face the FGCU Eagles in Fort Meyers, Fla. The two squads have only met four times in the regular season, with FGCU getting the best of the Knights last year in preseason. The match is slated for 1:00 p.m. Sept. 11 at the FGCU Soccer Complex.
UCF vs. FIU
• UCF leads the all-time series with FIU 28-4-3. The most recent meeting came last season in Miami, Fla. with UCF prevailing 1-0.
• The Panthers have conceded 10 goals on 44 shots on net, giving up an average of 2 goals per match through its first five games.
UCF at FGCU
• UCF leads the all-time series with FGCU 3-0-1, however the Eagles did defeat the Knights 2-1 last year in a preseason exhibition in Orlando, Fla.
• FGCU will travel to Miami, Fla. to face the hurricanes before hosting UCF on Sunday.
• The Eagles tested opposing goalkeepers with 27 shots on frame this season but have managed just 3 goals.
Carol is Key
• Senior Carol Rodrigues leads the Knights with 5 goals on the season, including 2 game winners.
• UCF is 10-1-1 when Rodrigues scores and just 4-6-1 when opponents keep her off the board.
• Rodrigues has racked up 10 points, taking 16 shots with nine on goal and logged 421 minutes.
Miscellaneous Mentions
• Freshman defender Julia Ekholm logged her sixth-straight complete game against Stetson, bringing her season total to 546 minutes.
• Through six games, six different Knights have scored 11 total goals for the Black and Gold.
• UCF is 18-4-2 under Roberts Sahaydak in the month of September.
The first 75 UCF students in attendance Thursday will receive a free UCF Soccer Scarf. Admission will complimentary for all Knights Watch members and include a pregame clinic with the UCF men's soccer team. Click here for tickets or call 407-UCF-1000 for more information.
