Memphis, Tenn. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF women's soccer team finished regular season play dropping a heartbreaker in double overtime at Memphis Sunday.
The Knights went toe-to-toe with the Tigers for 109 minutes before Memphis found the back of the net. The game's only goal came on a set piece to the back post that deflected to the near side, where a lone Memphis player had a wide open look.
Despite the loss, UCF goalkeeper sophomore Vera Varis shined. She put together a highlight reel performance, including six saves that kept the Black and Gold in the game.
Although the team clinched a spot in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) tournament on Thursday, a win over Memphis would have helped raise the squads overall RPI ranking and increased its chances at earning an NCAA tournament berth.
The Knights will now regroup and head to Storrs, Conn. for the AAC tournament.
Numbers Knight
• UCF drops back to 9-8-1 on the season including 4-3-0 at home and 6-4-1 on the road.
• Sophomore goalkeeper Vera Varis now boasts a 1.16 goals against average and 28 saves in AAC play.
• Three Knight defenders, including Varis, and juniors Saga Fredriksson and Caroline Bado played the entire 108 minutes and change.
• The Tigers outshot the Knights 13 to 8 and earned 7 corners while holding UCF from any corner attempts.
American Analysis
• The Knights finish 4-4-1 in AAC play with 13 points and will be the No. 6 seed.
• UConn will finish as the No. 1, Memphis the No. 2 seed and SMU the No. 3 seed.
• USF and Cincinnati will be the 4 and 5 seed, each finishing with 14 points.
• UCF will take on SMU in the opening round of the AAC, with the winner facing Uconn in the semi-final.
• A Knights win over SMU would lead to a re-match with Memphis in the AAC quarterfinals.
Next Up
UCF Soccer Presented by Napleton Volkswagon will head to Storrs, Conn. to face SMU in the opening round of the AAC tournament.