ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF women's soccer team held steady at No. 7 in the latest United Soccer Coaches Top 25, released on Tuesday.
UCF (12-1-1, 7-0-1) swept a pair of American Athletic Conference matches against UConn and Temple over the weekend to extend its unbeaten streak to 13. The Knights have not lost a match since dropping their season opener at then-No. 4 South Carolina. During the streak, UCF has topped two Pac 12 opponents, an ACC foe and an SEC opponent.
The Knights jumped up to No. 6 - matching the highest ranking in school history - in the TopDrawerSoccer Top 25 on Monday.
UCF is among the top 10 teams in the nation in five statistical categories. UCF ranks fourth in both scoring offense (2.93) and points per game (8.64), fifth in assists per game (2.79), sixth in win-loss-tie percentage (.893) and eighth in total goals (41).
In all 12 of UCF's victories this season, the Knights have scored at least two goals. After combining to score eight goals in the first six games, UCF has now outscored its opponents 33-2 in its last eight matches.
Individually, Vera Varis has compiled a 0.187 goals against average that ranks third in the nation. She ranks fourth nationally with a .917 save percentage. Morgan Ferrara, who leads the team with 12 goals, ranks fifth in the nation with an average of 0.86 goals per game. Her six game-winning goals are the fifth-best mark in the country.
In Monday's updated NCAA RPI ratings, UCF held the sixth spot. The Knights have been among the top 10 teams for all six weeks of the rankings. The RPI standings rank more than 330 teams based upon their wins, losses and strength of schedule.
The Knights are no stranger to the United Soccer Coaches – previously known as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) – rankings. From Dec. 2011 until Sept. 2015, the Knights had been ranked or receiving votes in every NSCAA poll. The Black and Gold returned to the poll on Aug. 29, jumping in at No. 24.
The Knights close out the regular season against USF on Oct. 27. UCF welcomes the Bulls, who are receiving votes in the polls, to the UCF Soccer Complex for the War on I4 contest at 7 p.m. In addition to six points in the rivalry series, UCF and USF will play for The American regular season title.
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