ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – With one season remaining, the senior class of the UCF women's soccer team is focused.
"I hope all of our seniors have the best season they've ever had," head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said.
Leading the way is team captain Saga Fredriksson.
"Saga is such a good leader," Roberts Sahaydak said. "I saw her teaching her freshmen teammates in practice. She is a leader by example. She is so reliable and gets her job done. She is also very competitive. You know exactly what you're going to get from her every game."
The co-Defensive Player of the Year last season, Fredriksson earned preseason all-conference honors in early August. A native of Malmo, Sweden, she has been a constant for the Knights. Last season Fredriksson played 13 complete games and earned NSCAA All-Region recognition.
"Bridget Callahan, who has had to play in multiple positions, has been a big piece to our success each year," Roberts Sahaydak said. "She's always put the team first. She'll play wherever we need her that's best for the team."
Callahan started in each game she has played over the last two seasons. She netted three goals in consecutive games. The Hollywood, Fla., native logged 1,522 minutes during her junior campaign.
"Morgan scored a handful of goals for us last season," Roberts Sahaydak said. "My expectation is that she should be one of our point leaders this year."
Morgan Ferrara earned second team all-conference honors in 2016. The Tampa, Fla., native was the second-leading scorer for the Knights last season. She finished with seven goals – including three game-winners – one assist and 15 points.
"Kayla Adamek is on fire right now," Roberts Sahaydak said. "She's as fit, quick, lean and agile as she's ever been. She has a new, improved mentality for her senior year. She's showing that in every way of her game."
Adamek started in 14 contests in 2016 before having her season cut short due to injury. A native of Ottawa, Canada, she netted one goal and tallied two assists.
"We're still trying Kathellen in multiple positions because she is so versatile," Roberts Sahaydak said. "She's so athletic and has a good technical base, so she really could play anywhere on the field."
Kathellen Sousa joined the Knights just before preseason training began. In 2016, she played in all 16 games at Louisville. A native of Sao Vincente, Brazil, Sousa – a former teammate of former Knight Carol Rodrigues – was a member of the 2014 NJCAA national championship squad at Monroe College.
"I think Hannah DeBose might have a little fire in her belly right now," Roberts Sahaydak said. "I thought she had really strong showings in the exhibitions and I hope she can continue that."
The Indialantic, Fla., native appeared in 19 matches for the Knights in 2016. DeBose led all Knights with five assists on the season.
A fully loaded senior class also includes Christine Creighton, Julia Moore and Jen Vera. Each one saw action in at least seven matches last season. Creighton and Moore each scored a goal, and Vera earned 11 starting nods during the 2016 campaign.
The Knights officially open the season on Aug. 18, traveling to No. 4 South Carolina. UCF returns to the UCF Soccer Complex to host Stetson on Aug. 20.
DON'T MISS OUT
The UCF women's soccer team is set for its fifth season under head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak and will welcome six teams from the 2016 NCAA Tournament to the UCF Soccer Complex in 2017. Click here or call (407) 823-1000 for ticket information.
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Membership to Knights Watch, the official supporters group of UCF Soccer, begins at $15 for students and $50 for fans. Packages include tickets to all home contests for men's and women's soccer, a Knights Watch T-Shirt, a soccer scarf and a variety of free catered tailgates. To become a member, click here.
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