Women’s Soccer Records Scoreless Draw vs. West Virginia in Big 12 OpenerWomen’s Soccer Records Scoreless Draw vs. West Virginia in Big 12 Opener

Women’s Soccer Records Scoreless Draw vs. West Virginia in Big 12 Opener

by James Warnick
Box Score

ORLANDO – The UCF women’s soccer team played West Virginia to a 0-0 draw in the Big 12 Conference opener for both teams on Thursday night at the UCF Soccer Complex.

The Knights (6-1-1, 0-0-1 Big 12) outshot and outpossessed the Mountaineers (5-2-1, 0-0-1 Big 12) on the night, but in the end the contest ended in a scoreless draw.

“I’ll take a point,” head UCF coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. “When I look at the performance, I felt like we had a great game. We created a lot of chances and had the majority of the possession. We worked hard and stayed together, and did all the right things. Sometimes it’s just hard to get the ball into the back of the net, but we had a great game tonight.”

The Black and Gold had a chance to get on the board in the 14th minute when the team was awarded a penalty kick on a handball in the box. Liz Worden took the PK and had her shot sail just high as it hit off the crossbar.

Ella Holloran and Edidiong Etim each had shots on frame for the Knights in the first half but both shots were saved by WVU’s Bailey Herfurth, as the match remained scoreless at the break.

Early in the second half, the Knights continued to control the tempo as they got a handful of shots off from Rajanah Reed and a couple from Liz Worden. But the duo couldn’t find the back of the net, as the game remained nil-nil.

With under 10 minutes to play on the clock, Worden crossed a ball into the box off a corner kick and Jada Silvest had an opportunity. But her header attempt was blocked by the WVU defense near the line.

The Mountaineers had their lone shot on goal of the game in the 83rd minute on a shot from Alicia Riggins, but UCF’s Genesis Perez Watson was there to make the save.

With the clock ticking down in the match, WVU had a chance off a free kick just outside the 18. Maya Leoni took the shot from the free kick, but it sailed just high as the match ended in the draw.  

As a team, UCF outshot WVU 14-8 as well as 4-1 with shots on goal. The Knights also outpossessed the Mountaineers 57%-43% on the night.

Reed led the way with five shots and two of those on frame, while Worden finished with a trio of shots. Olivia Shertzer led West Virginia with a pair of shots and one on target.

UCF keeper Genesis Perez Watson finished with her third clean sheet of the season by recording one save to move to 6-1-1 in goal on the year. WVU’s Herfurth finished with four saves to move to 3-0-1.

The Mountaineers, who have qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 23 of the past 25 seasons, were picked to finish fourth in the Big 12 this season after taking third in the league standings in 2024.

UCF’s 6-1-1 start marks the programs best start through eight matches since 2017.

The Black and Gold will continue conference play by heading to the Grand Canyon State next week to take on both Arizona and Arizona State. The Knights and Wildcats will first do battle on Thursday, Sept. 25 in Tucson and UCF will cap the trip by facing ASU in Tempe on Sunday, Sept. 28.