TAMPA, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – An early goal was the difference maker as the third-seeded UCF women’s soccer team posted a 3-0 win over sixth-seeded Temple in the first round of the American Athletic Conference Championship in Tampa.
The Knights (10-6-1) used a goal from freshman Kristen Scott in the 21st minute to go ahead of the Owls (7-11,1). Scott added to the UCF score in the 60th minute and found Stefanie Sanders in the 74th minute for the final mark.
Sanders netted her 13th goal of the season, moving her within one marker of joining the UCF single season Top 10.
Vera Varis recorded her fifth clean sheet of the season, making three saves in the win.
Success for Scott
- One day after being named to The American’s All-Rookie team, Kristen Scott made her presence known in her first American tournament match.
- The Orlando native netted the game-winner in the 21st minute, bouncing a header in just under the crossbar for her fifth goal of the season.
- The freshman forward bagged a brace in the 60th minute, collecting a pass from Elise Legrout and beating the Owls goalkeeper.
- Scott also had a foot in UCF’s third marker of the day, as she forced the Temple keeper to come out before feeding the ball to Stefanie Sanders for the third Black and Gold goal in the 74th minute.
Reaching Double Digits
- For the fifth time in head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak’s six-year tenure at UCF, the Knights have reached double-figure victories.
- The Knights have recorded at least 10 wins in 17 of the last 18 seasons.
- UCF out-shot Temple, 22-6, recording the most shots in an American tournament match since 2015.
UCF advanced to the American Athletic Conference Semifinals for the fifth time in six seasons. The Knights will face No. 18/19 Memphis on Friday at 4:30 p.m. The contest will stream on the American Digital Network.
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Photo courtesy of Ben Solomon/American Athletic Conference