ORLANDO – The UCF women’s soccer team didn’t let a three-plus hour lightning delay ruin its home-opening plans, as the Black and Gold went on to defeat Florida Atlantic by a score of 3-1 late Sunday night at the UCF Soccer Complex
Tyra Eriksen, Honoka Hamano and Liz Worden all scored goals for the Knights to help UCF move to 2-0-0 on the young season. FAU drops to 0-1-1 with the setback.
“It’s hard to win games. I’m pleased with the team for coming out and putting together another good performance,” head UCF coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. “We showed some good spurts of moments where we played some solid football. So, I’m happy with our performance overall.”
The freshman Eriksen got the Knights on the board in the 23rd minute by drilling home a rebounded shot off the leg of teammate Gabi Berchon for Eriksen’s first collegiate goal. The early goal gave the Black and Gold the quick 1-0 advantage.
23' - Tyra Eriksen punches in her first collegiate goal! 🔥
— UCF Women's Soccer (@UCF_WSoccer) August 18, 2025
UCF 1, FAU 0 pic.twitter.com/jD0ZY0q0Rx
UCF would add another goal in the 31st minute, as Ella Holloran and Liz Worden found Honoka Hamano open in the center of the box to give the Knights a 2-0 lead. The goal marked the fifth goal of Hamano’s career. Both Holloran and Worden were credited with assists on the play.
31' - Honoka Hamano cuts in and hits the back of the net! 👊
— UCF Women's Soccer (@UCF_WSoccer) August 18, 2025
UCF 2, FAU 0 pic.twitter.com/LK8Fl9tGC2
Holding to the 2-0 advantage in the second half, UCF added a third goal in the 63rd minute, as Jada Silvest fed a beautiful through ball over the top to Worden and the senior forward managed to beat FAU’s keeper for an easy goal. The goal marked Worden’s second of the season and gave the Knights a 3-0 advantage.
63' - Jada Silvest with a great through ball to Liz Worden‼️
— UCF Women's Soccer (@UCF_WSoccer) August 18, 2025
UCF 3, FAU 0 pic.twitter.com/exOMaJPQ2S
With the Black and Gold keeping the pressure on down the stretch, the Owls finally managed to punch a goal in to cut the score to 3-1 in the 85th minute. Sydney Neira fed a pass ahead to Sloane Young and Young put the ball in the back of the net for the goal.
UCF dominated the contest with 19 shots to FAU’s five and 12 shots on goal to just one from Florida Atlantic. The Knights also held possession for 60% of the game.
Worden led the way individually with a goal and an assist, as well as six shots with five of those coming on frame.
Genesis Perez Watson was credited with the victory in goal by recording a save in the full 90 minutes in goal. The UCF backline also played well by limiting the Owls to just one shot on goal in the contest.
Prior to the match, the contest featured a three-hour and 15-minute lightning delay. Originally scheduled for a 6 p.m. start, the game didn’t begin until 9:15 p.m.
The Knights will continue the homestand by hosting rival South Florida on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the UCF Soccer Complex. The Black and Gold will then close a three-match homestand against LSU of the SEC next Sunday night.
TICKETS
UCF women’s soccer season and single-game tickets are on sale now. Please visit ucfknights.com/tickets for more information or call the ticket office at (407) 823-1000.
ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.