Women’s Soccer Bests Oklahoma State, 2-1Women’s Soccer Bests Oklahoma State, 2-1

Women’s Soccer Bests Oklahoma State, 2-1

by James Warnick
Box Score

STILLWATER, Okla. – Liz Worden and Rajanah Reed each found the back of the net and UCF managed to hold on down the stretch to defeat Oklahoma State 2-1 on Thursday night at Neal Patterson Stadium.

The Knights are now unbeaten in their last five matches and improve to 9-2-3 overall and 3-1-3 in Big 12 play with the victory. The setback marks OSU’s fifth straight, as it falls to 4-9-2 on the season and 0-6-1 in league play with the result.

“I’m really proud of the team tonight. Liz and Rajanah finding the back of the net was great to see, and I thought our group showed a lot of character on both sides of the ball,” head UCF coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. “These three points on the road are huge. Not just for the standings, but for our belief and momentum heading into our next match at Houston.”  

With UCF on the attack in the opening half and having put up six shots on frame in the early stages, Worden managed to break through by finding the back of the net in the 31st minute to give the Knights a 1-0 advantage. Ainsley Moy fed a pass ahead to the UCF senior forward and Worden was able to fire a left-footed strike from distance past OSU’s Logan Marks for the goal. The score marked Worden’s team-leading fifth of the season.

With the Knights holding to the one-goal advantage in the 44th minute, Gabi Berchon sent in a cross off a corner kick and Jada Silvest was there to flick the ball towards the goal with a header. The attempt was just saved, however, right before the half to keep it a 1-0 score at the break.

The Black and Gold had a strong opening 45 minutes of play in which they outshot the Cowgirls 12-4 and 8-0 on goal.

The Knights continued on the attack and extended their lead to 2-0 in the 59th minute when Reed managed to beat the Oklahoma State defense for a goal. Jada Silvest and Worden were credited with assists on the play, as they found Reed on the left wing and Reed was able to slot a shot through the defense. The goal marked Reed’s fifth of the year to tie Worden for the team lead. The assist by Worden resulted in her team-best sixth of the season.

The Cowgirls got on the board in the 66th minute to cut the deficit in half at 2-1. Xcaret Pineda crossed a corner kick to the far side of the box and Emma Alford was there to guide the ball home.

OSU was held to just a pair of shots over the final 20 minutes of the contest, as the Black and Gold defense managed to secure the victory for the Knights.

In all, UCF outshot the Cowgirls 15-7 on the evening and 9-1 on goal. Worden led the Knights with a goal, an assist, five shots, and three shots on frame. Reed was right behind her with a goal, four shots, and a trio of shots on goal. Pineda paced OSU with three shots and an assist.

With the victory, UCF is 3-0-2 over its last five games.

The Knights will play their third and final game of a current three-game road stretch at Houston on Sunday. UCF and the Cougars will do battle at UH’s Carl Lewis International Complex on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.