MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Naomi Clark scored her Big 12-leading 10th goal of the season, lifting the UCF women’s soccer team to a 1-0 shutout victory over No. 12 West Virginia on Friday afternoon at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
The victory marked the Knights’ fourth consecutive win as they improved to 9-3-1 overall and 4-2-1 in Big 12 play. West Virginia fell to 9-2-2 overall and 4-2-1 in conference action with the loss. The four-game winning streak also marked the first time in UCF’s Big 12 era that the program has won four straight conference matches.
The win also moved the Black and Gold to 3-0-1 on the season against ranked opponents. Additionally, the victory over the 12th-ranked Mountaineers marked UCF’s highest-ranked win since Sept. 5, 2021, when it defeated then-No. 7 Penn State, 2-1, in Orlando.
“I’m incredibly proud of this team today. Winning on the road against a quality opponent like West Virginia takes tremendous grit, discipline, and a willingness to fight for one another. We had to dig deep in the second half, and I thought our commitment to defending and doing whatever it took to protect the lead was outstanding. That’s the kind of toughness and togetherness that defines this group,” head UCF coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. “Naomi Clark was tremendous today. She stepped up in a big moment and made a huge impact on the game. This was a complete team effort and three massive points on the road.”
With both sides trading possession early, the Knights were the first to break through as Gabi Berchon found Clark for what proved to be the match’s only goal in the 25th minute. After dribbling through traffic near the top left edge of the box, Clark played a give-and-go with Berchon, who quickly returned the ball to the senior striker. Clark then buried a shot into the upper-right corner of the net for her league-leading 10th goal of the season.
NAOMI CLARK, EVERYBODY 👀 #NCAAWSoccer x 🎥 ESPN+ / @UCF_WSoccer https://t.co/xd1adzTVR0
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) October 16, 2026
The Black and Gold had an opportunity to double their advantage late in the first half when Naomi Clark found Edidiong Etim on the right side of the box. Etim’s shot sailed high, however, to keep it a 1-0 score.
With West Virginia on the attack in the second half looking for an equalizer, the Mountaineers played a ball into the box to Alexis Pashales in the 66th minute and the header hit off the crossbar to keep it a 1-0 UCF advantage.
The Mountaineers continued to send the ball into the box in the second half, but the UCF defense stayed strong to maintain the lead. WVU got off four late shots in the game’s closing minutes, but Black and Gold keeper Kaïna Cesar and the UCF defense managed to thwart each attempt to hold on for the win.
In all, West Virginia recorded 14 shots in the contest, including 10 in the second half. UCF’s Cesar turned away all five shots on goal she faced in the game to secure the shutout.
The clean sheet marked Cesar’s third of the season and UCF’s fourth total shutout. Cesar moved to 6-2-1 on the year between the posts.
Clark led the Black and Gold offensively with a pair of shots and the game-winning goal. Berchon assist marked her fifth assist of the year.
The 10 goals for Clark marked the first time of her career she’s reached double figures in goals scored and UCF’s first since 2024 when former Knight Chloe Netzel finished with 11 that season.
During the Black and Gold’s current four-game winning streak, they have defeated both No. 12 West Virginia and the defending Big 12 champion TCU Horned Frogs on the road, as well as No. 17 Colorado and Oklahoma State at home. Friday’s win also marked UCF’s first in Morgantown as well as WVU's first defeat at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in 2026.
UP NEXT
The Knights will now return to Orlando to host a pair of matches next week. UCF will first welcome Cincinnati to the UCF Soccer Complex on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. The Black and Gold will cap the week with a Sunday, Oct. 25 match against Houston at 1 p.m. Thursday will mark Fright Knight where to the team will don their new Halloween-themed Kits while Sunday will be the Alumni Game.
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.