Women’s Soccer Falls to Oklahoma State, 2-0Women’s Soccer Falls to Oklahoma State, 2-0

Women’s Soccer Falls to Oklahoma State, 2-0

by James Warnick
Box Score

ORLANDO – The UCF women’s soccer team tallied 12 shots on the day but ultimately ended up dropping a 2-0 Big 12 Conference contest to Oklahoma State on Sunday afternoon at the UCF Soccer Complex.

The Knights fall to 3-6-5 overall and 1-5-3 in conference play with the setback, while the Cowgirls move to 13-2-3 and 6-2-2 in league play with the result.

“Today was heartbreaking. We’re in a really tough patch right now. My job as the leader is to keep the camaraderie and positivity still there when things just aren’t going your way,” head UCF coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. “This is on me. I’ve got to find a way to rally the team right now for our last home game.”

The Black and Gold came out ready to go in the contest as they had an early chance from Mia Asenjo in the second minute that was saved in the lower left corner and another from Chloe Netzel in the seventh minute that was also saved by OSU’s Grace Gordon.

The Cowgirls managed to strike first in the 16th minute, however, as Chloe Wright found the back of the net off an OSU corner kick to make it 1-0 Pokes.

The Knights looked to respond via a chance from Brooke Mulroney in the 26th minute but the shot sailed just wide.

OSU then made it 2-0 in the 37th minute, as Logan Heausler scored on assists from Reganne Morris and Gordon to add to its lead.

Down the two goals in the second half, UCF again came out as the aggressors it is had an early chance from Honoka Hamano that was saved in the 47th minute. Following a shot from Annika Huhta, the Black and Gold had a good chance as the ball was fed to Grace Thao in the center of the box. Her shot was saved, however, in the 68th minute to keep it 2-0.

Just a few minutes later, the Knights again had a chance—this time from Netzel on a header—but her attempt sailed just high.

The Black and Gold continued on the attack, but ultimately couldn’t find the back of the net as the Cowgirls managed to hold to their lead down the stretch.

In all, the Knights finished with a total of 12 shots and four on goal on the afternoon, while OSU tallied 16 shots and seven on frame.

UCF’s Genesis Perez Watson led the way in the goal in the match, as she finished with a game-high five saves on the afternoon.

The contest marked the second of a current three-match homestand to close the regular season for the Black and Gold.

The Knights will next host Cincinnati in the regular-season finale on Friday at 6 p.m. at the UCF Soccer Complex. The contest will mark Alumni Knight and the Space Game for the Black and Gold. UCF will also be looking to secure a spot at the 2024 Sprouts Farmers Big 12 Championship that will be contested Oct. 30 to Nov. 9 at CPC Stadium in Kansas City. The top 12 teams in the Big 12 standings will qualify for the conference tournament.