ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The Knights' season ended in heartbreak Wednesday, as the team was defeated by SMU 3-2 in penalty kicks after earning a 1-1 draw through 90 minutes and double overtime.
Much like the regular season match-up, UCF jumped out to the early lead, this time on a goal by senior forward Carol Rodrigues in the fifth minute. The Knights held the lead until the 71st minute when the Mustangs were able to tally the tying goal.
SMU was able to shift the momentum with a quick throw in that subsequently led to a corner and the equalizer. Despite several more chances from both sides in regulation and two extra ten minute periods, the match ended in a draw and was forced to go to penalty kicks to decide a winner.
Both squads buried their first two attempts and missed their respective thirds but SMU took the advantage when its goalkeeper made another stop and the Mustangs fourth was successful. UCF needed to make its fifth attempt and stop their opponent, but it was the SMU goalkeeper who came up big securing the 3-2 advantage.
Based on national RPI rankings coming into the conference tournament, the Knights may find themselves on the outside looking in when the NCAA tournament selections are announced.
Knights by the Numbers
* Rodrigues notched her 12th goal of the year, surpassing her 2015 total.
* Five Knights including Rodrigues, Bado, Vera Varis, Bridget Callahan and Saga Fredriksson played the entire 110 minutes.
* UCF put five shots on frame while SMU managed four.
* The Mustangs held the advantage in overall shots 11-8 and corner attempts 6-4.
* Pending an NCAA tournament berth, UCF ends the season at 9-8-2 overall and 4-4-2 against conference opponents.