ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – After two weekends away, the No. 7 UCF women's soccer team returns to action Thursday night at the UCF Soccer Complex. The Knights will host UConn in a 7 p.m. matchup.
Slated for a 7 p.m. kick, fans who are unable to attend the match can watch on UCFKnights.tv. Tickets are available here.
UCF (10-1-1, 5-0-1 The American) enters the weekend at the top of the league standings with 16 points. The Knights are followed by USF (15 points), Cincinnati (14 points) and Memphis (14 points).
Lucky No. 7
- The Knights moved up another spot to seventh in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 on Tuesday, their highest ranking since 2012, and the best slot under head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak.
- UCF jumped in the poll at No. 24 on Aug. 29 and has steadily climbed in each subsequent poll.
- Nationally, the Knights rank fifth in scoring offense (2.92), sixth in points per game (8.50) and ninth in both assists per game (2.67) and win-loss-tie percentage (.875).
- The NCAA released its updated RPI ratings on Monday, with UCF moving up to No. 5. The Knights have been in the top 10 for five straight weeks.
Goals on Goals
- UCF has found its offensive spark over the last six games, outscoring opponents 27-1. In each of the last six matches, the Knights have scored four or more goals.
- With 23 goals in American Athletic Conference play, the Knights have now tied the program best in the league (23, 2013).
- Senior Morgan Ferrara leads the way with 11 goals this season, including nine over the last five games.
- Senior Kayla Adamek (8) and freshman Dina Orschmann (5) join Ferrara with multi-goal games this season.
Dominant Defense
- After allowing two goals in the season opener at then-No. 4 South Carolina, the UCF defense has shut down opponents.
- The Knights have not allowed more than one goal in a match during the 11-game unbeaten stretch.
- UCF has posted seven shutouts this season, including one last weekend at LSU.
- Vera Varis has yet to concede a goal in league play and has compiled a 0.225 goal-against average on the season.
Scouting the Huskies
- UCF and UConn meet for the 10th time overall. The Huskies hold a 6-3 lead in the all-time series, and enter Thursday's matchup having won the last four meetings.
- UConn enters the match with a 6-6-3 overall record, and a 4-2-0 mark in The American. The Huskies are fifth in the league with 12 points.
- A pair of Huskies earned recognition from the league on Monday. Erin Spillane was named the Offensive Player of the Week, while Yamilee Eveillard took home Rookie of the Week honors.
UCF continues league action on Sunday, hosting Temple at 1 p.m. at the UCF Soccer Complex.
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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