ORLANDO - The No. 19 UCF women’s soccer team will look to bounce back after its first Big 12 conference loss on Sunday, when the team travels to Norman, Okla. to take on Oklahoma. First kick for the first ever meeting between the two teams is set for 2 p.m. ET from John Crain Field.
SQUAD INSIGHT
The Knights most recently traveled to Stillwater, Okla. to face Oklahoma State. The Cowgirls controlled possession through the first half, scoring the first goal of the match and taking 11 shots in the opening ten minutes. Dayana Martin scored the equalizer in the beginning of the second 45, an absolute missile from just outside the box, but Oklahoma State retaliated shortly after to regain the lead and win the match. This result brought an end to UCF’s perfect opening to its inaugural Big 12 season and shifted its record to 3-1 in Big 12 play.
It was a week full of awards for the members of the UCF team following the two victories, collecting two Big 12 weekly honors and a nod to the College Soccer News Team of the Week. Scoring both of the game-winners, including one off of a penalty kick, Bradley was named to the CSN National Team of the Week. With two goals on the season, she is already one goal away from matching her single-season high of three. Caroline DeLisle looked like a brick wall in net against both Houston and Kansas, making a combined nine saves and keeping a 1.000 save percentage, to earn Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Week. The Tampa, Florida is in the top 50 in the nation in overall save percentage, with .837. The clean sheet against Kansas marked DeLisle’s 30th career shutout, which gave her a share of second place for career shutouts in program history. A new staple in the back line, Jessica McCullen collected her first career conference honors, being named the Freshman of the Week. The redshirt freshman was essential in both shutouts, showing off her passing abilities and strong physical presence.
THE OPPONENT
The Big 12’s second Oklahoma squad, the Sooners, will look to bounce back following a tough 2-0 defeat to Texas Tech on Thursday. While the result marked Oklahoma’s first loss of conference play, the Sooners goalless performance marked their fourth of the season, losing in each of those matches. Both squads share two opponents through the opening weeks of conference play, as the Sooners tied with Kansas, 2-2, to open up Big 12 play. While UCF secured a 1-0 victory at Houston, Oklahoma joined the Knights in gaining three points with a 2-1 victory against the Cougars. The Sooners lone meeting with a ranked opponent this season saw them bested at Gonzaga 3-0.
Unlike many Big 12 teams, Oklahoma is embarking on its first season under former Ole Miss head coach, Matt Mott. Following 13 years with the Rebels, the Sooners announced Mott’s hiring in April, with the hope that the tenured coach will give life to the program ahead of its move to the SEC next season.
Following her transfer from Central Arkansas in 2022, redshirt senior Emma Hawkins has been clinical for the Sooner leading the attack. With six goals and one assist during her first season in Norman, Hawkins has already pushed her game to a new level, with eight goals and three assists through 12 matches this season. She is joined by Leonie Weber and Danielle Wolfe who have each contributed for the Sooners early on. Weber is second on the team with 14 points and Wolfe isn’t far behind with 11 to her name.
STORYLINES
- Caroline DeLisle is on the brink of setting the program record in shutouts. The fifth year currently sits tied for second with 30, having notched three in her past five matches. DeLisle’s career mark is sixth among active players.