Vs. SMU (10-2) - Images by UCF KnightsORLANDO, FLA. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF junior forward Kayla Adamek scored early for the Knights, but prior to halftime, SMU knotted the contest, 1-1. A tough final 10 minutes for the Knights saw the home team surrender a pair of goals in a 3-1 defeat Sunday afternoon at the UCF Soccer Complex.
"Soccer can be a difficult sport sometimes, because you can be the leader in shots, but miss (scoring a goal) by inches," head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. "A lot of credit goes to SMU, because they played with so much heart today. As the game went on, their heart got bigger."
A 14-7 advantage in shots were held by the Knights (6-4-0, 1-1-0 The American). UCF had five shots on target and a number of chances that went just high or wide of the SMU (7-3-0, 2-0-0 The American) goal.
"The takeaway is that we have to stay in games, not get frustrated, and believe in what we have been doing all season long," Roberts Sahaydak added.
STRIKING FIRST
- Just three minutes in, junior Kayla Adamek took a pass from junior Morgan Ferrara to the right of the goal and beat the keeper on a shot to the far post.
- It was the first goal for Adamek, while Ferrara registered her ninth point and first assist of the campaign.
- The Knights moved to 4-2 when netting the first goal of the match.
NOTABLE KNIGHTS
- Sophomore Carrie Lawrence and senior Carol Rodrigues paced the Knights in shots with three.
- Rodrigues came inches away from putting the Knights up 2-0 in the 19th minute as her shot hit the crossbar and bounced back into the play. A brilliant pass into the box from junior Caroline Bado set up the chance.
- A pair of shots were tallied by junior Kayla Adamek and senior Carlin Huegli. Both chances from Adamek were on target.
- The Knights held a 5-3 edge in corners.
- Both teams accounted for a total of 31 fouls in the match.
NEXT UP
- UCF begins its War on I-4 rivalry with South Florida on Friday in Tampa at 7 p.m.
- With USF currently holding a 6-3 lead in the season-long rivalry series, the Knights have an opportunity to move ahead with six points on the line
- The next home match for the Knights comes on Oct. 20 against Cincinnati at 7 p.m.
"We are real excited about (the War on I-4) and have to get back on track. Now, we have to focus on South Florida on Friday. The team will be excited for that. I know they are excited for that rivalry and hopefully, it gives our team a little more motivation to get back in the win category."
-Head Coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak
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