ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF women's soccer team refused to quit Sunday, as it sunk the Pirates 3-2 in double overtime. The day started with Knights seniors being honored in a pregame ceremony, and finished as one they will remember for years to come.
After falling behind 1-0 late in the first half, the black and gold started the second half determined. It was senior Cortney O'Connell who stepped up first, beating the East Carolina keeper on a broken play in the box after a brilliant set-piece service from junior Caroline Bado.
Thirty seconds later, it was senior striker Carol Rodrigues' turn. After knocking down a long pass from freshman defender Julia Ekholm, Rodrigues controlled the ball and sent a laser past the Pirates goalkeeper to give the Knights the lead.
East Carolina would manage to tie the game and force overtime, but the Knights saved their best for last. UCF controlled the ball almost exclusively in the extra periods, keeping the Pirates from taking a single shot.
Finally, just 42 seconds after the second overtime period began, junior Morgan Ferrara took a pass from junior Hannah DeBose, dug in and buried a shot at the back post, giving UCF the win.
Numbers Game
* UCF improves to 8-7-1 on the season including 4-3-0 at home and 4-3-1 on the road.
*.The Knights improve to 10-2-2 all-time against the Pirates.
*.The goal by O'Connell is her fourth of the season.
* Rodrigues scored her 11th goal of the season, matching her 2015 total with two regular-season games still to play.
* Ferrara's goal marks her sixth and third overtime winner of the year (OK State/Houston).
*.Bado and Ekholm each earned their first assists of the season while DeBose now leads the team after notching her fifth assist.
*.The Black and Gold are 2-0-1 in overtime games this season.
Around the American
* The Knights improve to 3-3-1 in the AAC and remains in 7th just one point behind USF and Cincinnati whose match ended in a draw.
* UCF could advance to the AAC tournament by winning its next two matches and having USF or Cincinnati take one loss.
* The top six teams in conference points will advance to the AAC tournament.
Next Up
UCF Soccer Presented by Napleton Volkswagon will hit the road for its final two games of the season against Tulsa October 27 at 8 p.m. and Memphis October 30 at 2 p.m.