ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – For the first time since Sept. 3, No. 14 UCF Soccer gears up for a weekend of competition. The Knights hit the road to open American Athletic Conference play at Cincinnati on Thursday before facing ECU on Sunday.
Slated for a 7 p.m. start, Thursday's match against the Bearcats will air on the American Digital Network.
National Knights
- Since making their return to the United Soccer Coaches poll on Aug. 28, the Knights have continued to climb in the poll.
- UCF jumped in at No. 24 and has steadily climbed 10 spots, landing at No. 14 in the Sept. 19 poll.
- The NCAA released its first RPI ratings on Sept. 18, with UCF holding the fourth spot.
Squad Goals
- Six of UCF's eight goals in 2017 have come from six different members of the squad.
- In the win over Stetson, Morgan Ferrara and Jessica Taylor each tallied a marker.
- Dina Orschmann and Christine Creighton both scored goals for UCF against UNC.
- Kayla Adamek recorded at least one point in a three-game stretch. She tallied an assist against both Stetson and UNC and scored the equalizer against Arizona.
- Madison Murnin became the sixth Knight to net a goal in 2017 as her first collegiate goal was the game-winner against the Wildcats.
- Dina Orschmann and Morgan Ferrara became the first Knights to double up on goals as each put one in the back of the net against Arizona State.
Scouting the Bearcats
- UCF and Cincinnati meet for the eighth time on the pitch, with the all-time series tied at 3-3-1.
- At 6-1-1, the Bearcats are ranked 25th in the Top Drawer Soccer Top 25.
- Cincinnati, who was voted to finish third in the preseason league poll, returns Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Vanessa Gilles.
- The Bearcats suffered their first loss of the season at LSU on Sept. 14, but have not lost at Gettler Stadium.
Scouting the Pirates
- Sunday's meeting marks the 15th time UCF and ECU have faced off. The Knights lead the all-time series 10-2-2, including five of the last six.
- The Pirates hold a 5-2-2 record on the season and open league play against USF on Thursday.
- On Monday, a trio of Pirates earned American Athletic Conference weekly honors. Michelle Newhouse earned her second Goalkeeper of the Week honor this season, while Courtney Cash and Kim Sanford were named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively.
UCF is back at the UCF Soccer Complex on Sept. 28 to host Tulsa.
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.
BECOME A PART OF THE WATCH
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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