ORLANDO – In coordination with the Big 12 Conference, UCF women’s soccer head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak released the Black and Gold’s 2026 Big 12 Conference fall slate on Monday, as the Knights prepare for their fourth go-around in the conference.
The Knights will compete in 11 conference matchups that include five 2025 NCAA Tournament teams and five other participants in the 2025 Big 12 Soccer Tournament alongside UCF.
2026 BIG 12 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Game One vs. Texas Tech – Sept. 17, 2026
The Black and Gold will open 2026 Big 12 Conference play at the UCF Soccer Complex for the fourth successive season, this time on Sept. 17 against the same Texas Tech Red Raiders who rounded out UCF’s 2025 conference lineup last year.
In 2025, Tech posted an overall 14-2-5 (7-1-3 Big 12) record and ranked as high as fifth in the nation at one point before an NCAA Tournament Round of 32 loss against 2024 defending national champions North Carolina, falling 4-3 on penalty kicks.
The Red Raiders were led by top goalscorer Taylor Zdrojewski, whose 16 goals were the fourth-highest in the Big 12, and Big 12 Defender of the Year Macy Blackburn, whose 13 assists were sixth-most in the country and second-most nationally among defenders. Texas Tech saw 11 selections to 2025 Big 12 All-Conference teams and three to USC All-Region teams.
UCF will look to continue its spotless all-time record against Texas Tech, as the Knights currently hold a 1-0-2 advantage after the teams’ 0-0 draw in Lubbock last year.
Game Two at BYU – Sept. 24, 2026
Following the conference opener, the Knights will travel to Provo, Utah to take on 2025 Big 12 Conference Tournament champions BYU on Sept. 24.
Brigham Young finished the 2025 season on a high, ending with an 11-7-6 (4-5-2 Big 12) record en route to the Big 12 Tournament Title and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance, with Stanford ending their season.
The Cougars saw plenty of postseason player accolades, with two All-America selections, three All-Midwest Region Team inclusions, four Big 12 All-Tournament players, and six All-Big 12 Team members.
The Knights will try to even the all-time series (1-2-0) by replicating last year’s result, when they defeated BYU 2-1 at the UCF Soccer Complex thanks to an early brace from Liz Worden.
Game Three at Utah – Sept. 27, 2026
UCF will extend its stay in the Beehive State when it travels to the University of Utah just three days later on Sept. 27.
The Utes concluded 2025 with a 7-10-3 (2-7-2) record, highlighted by a 1-0 victory over Washington, which made the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.
The Black and Gold will look to double their all-time series advantage (1-0-0) in their second-ever meeting with Utah after defeating them 2-0 at the UCF Soccer Complex after goals from Honoka Hamano and Liz Worden.
Game Four vs. Colorado – Oct. 2, 2026
The Knights’ second home conference game of the fall will see the Colorado Buffaloes come to town with MAC Hermann Semifinalist, Big 12 Forward of the Year, Top Drawer Soccer Player of the Year Finalist, and Colorado Sportswoman of the Year striker Hope Leyba leading the charge.
Leyba, the country’s leading goalscorer (22), led the Big 12 in almost every offensive category, and ranked fourth in the nation in total points, fourth in goals per game (0.92), ninth in points per game (1.88), 16th in both shots per game (4.04) and shots on goal per game (2.00).
The Buffaloes ended their season at 17-4-3 (8-1-2 Big 12) with a semifinal run in the Big 12 Soccer Tournament (Kansas, 1-2), and a Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament appearance, falling 1-2 to Michigan State.
UCF will seek revenge after it fell to Colorado 3-2 in the first round of the conference tournament last year, with UCF’s all-time record against the Buffaloes now reading 0-1-1.
Game Five at TCU – Oct. 8, 2026
The Knights’ fifth Big 12 Conference game will send them to Fort Worth, Texas to take on TCU on Oct. 8 at the site of the first two rounds of the 2025 Big 12 Soccer Tournament.
The Horned Frogs saw a fruitful end to 2025, posting an 18-3-3 (9-1-1 Big 12) record, securing back-to-back Big 12 regular season championships, and advancing to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history, falling 0-1 to 2025 National Champions Florida State.
MAC Hermann Semifinalist, United Soccer Coaches All-American, and Honda Sport Award Finalist striker Seven Castain headlined a group of eight All-Big 12 Team members and five USC All-Midwest Team selections, alongside United Soccer Coaches All-American Morgan Brown, Big 12 Freshman of the Year Kamdyn Fuller, and Big 12 Coach of the Year Eric Brown.
TCU also achieved the highest national ranking by any Big 12 program in 2025, peaking at No. 4 in the Aug. 26 and postseason polls.
UCF will look to maintain its winning all-time series record (2-1-0) and bounce back after its last matchup with TCU in 2024, a 2-4 loss.
Game Six vs. Oklahoma State – Oct. 11, 2026
Three days after the matchup with TCU, the Knights will return home to take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls on Oct. 11.
Oklahoma State ended 2025 with a 4-13-2 (0-10-1) overall record, led by Xcaret Pineda’s five goals and Taryn Thibeau’s four assists.
The all-time series with the Cowgirls stands at an even 2-2-0, as the Black and Gold defeated OSU 2-1 in Stillwater last season.
Game Seven at West Virginia – Oct. 16, 2026
In the penultimate road match of the 2026 conference schedule, UCF will pay a visit to Morgantown, West Virginia to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers on Oct. 16.
After beginning Big 12 Conference play last year against UCF with a 0-0 draw in Orlando, WVU went on to post an undefeated 8-0-3 conference mark that accompanied a 14-3-4 overall record.
The Mountaineers were bounced out of the postseason by Kansas in the conference tournament and Georgetown (1-1, 4-3 PKs) in the NCAA Tournament Second Round, but not without collecting plenty of individual accolades, including five All-Big 12 team members, three United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest Region team members, and a USC All-American nod in senior forward Taylor White after leading her team in goals (10) and assists (10).
The Knights will look to improve upon their 1-3-1 all-time record and claim their first road triumph against the Mountaineers when they make the trip to Morgantown in October.
Game Eight vs. Cincinnati – Oct. 22, 2026
Upon UCF’s return from West Virginia, the Black and Gold will begin a two-match homestand against rivals Cincinnati on Oct. 22.
The Bearcats ended 2025 strong, winning two of their last three matches on their way to a 5-8-6 (3-6-2 Big 12) record, buoyed by junior forward Coley Sidloski’s four goals and four assists on the season.
The American-turned-Big 12 rivalry will install its latest chapter when the Knights look to further improve a 7-5-4 all-time series record, most recently contested to a 0-0 draw in Cincinnati in 2025.
Game Nine vs. Houston – Oct. 25, 2026
The Black and Gold will face off against back-to-back former American adversaries when they host Houston on Oct. 25 at the UCF Soccer Complex, celebrating Alumni Weekend for the program.
The Cougars played out their 2025 schedule to a 7-4-7 (2-4-5 Big 12) result, taking a point each against ranked Texas Tech and Baylor while avoiding defeat in four of their last five matches.
On the stat sheet, freshman Samira Minor led the way with six goals and three assists, taking home All-Big 12 Second Team and Freshman Team honors.
UCF will look to return to winning ways in the all-time series after a 1-1 draw in Houston last year brought it to 18-2-2.
Game 10 at Kansas State – Oct. 30, 2026
For the final road match of the season, the Knights will travel to Kansas State for only the third-ever matchup between the schools on Oct. 30.
In 2025, the Wildcats secured the first winning season in their 10-year history, going 7-6-5 (2-5-4 Big 12), setting numerous program records in head coach Colleen Corbin's first year in charge. Sophomore Hannah Palmer led the way on the pitch with five goals and four assists to her name.
The Black and Gold will search for their first win in program history against K-State as the series currently sits at 0-0-2 between the sides.
Game 11 vs. Iowa State – Nov. 5, 2026
The regular-season finale will see the Knights face off against the Iowa State Cyclones on Nov. 5 for the first time in program history as they look to qualify for the postseason for two straight years.
The Cyclones notched a 4-9-4 (1-8-2 Big 12) mark in the previous campaign, avoiding defeat in seven of their first eight matches.
Forward Morgan Struttmann and midfielder Morgan Goodman led the way for Iowa State, each logging four goals and one assist for the season.
UCF will also celebrate Senior Knight before the match, celebrating the seniors who have contributed to the program.
2026 Big 12 Soccer Tournament – Nov. 9-14, 2026
The 2026 Big 12 Soccer Tournament will be contested between Nov. 9-14, with a single-elimination format. The top eight teams in the conference standings will qualify for the tournament.
UCF’s full fall 2026 schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Knights will open their spring exhibition slate by hosting the University of Montreal on Feb. 26. Japan’s Tokai University will then visit Orlando on March 6. UCF will also face Florida State in Tallahassee on April 4 before closing its spring schedule by hosting Miami on April 11.
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.