IRVING, Texas – UCF sophomore defender Kalena Bellini has been named the Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week, while junior goalkeeper Kaïna Cesar earned Goalkeeper of the Week honors, as announced by the conference office Wednesday.
Bellini earned the defensive weekly honor after helping the Knights’ backline shut out No. 17 Colorado last weekend in Big 12 play while also contributing an assist on the offensive end. The Lehi, Utah, native played all 90 minutes and was instrumental in helping UCF blank Colorado’s prolific offense. She also helped the Knights take an early lead by sending a through ball into the box to Alysiah Lockette, who finished with a tap-in goal in the 14th minute. The assist marked Bellini’s third of the season.
Your Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week 🤩 🗞️ https://t.co/P4T6WwK60r https://t.co/CZUl6za3OF
— UCF Women's Soccer (@UCF_WSoccer) October 7, 2026
Cesar claimed goalkeeper accolades after recording her second clean sheet of the season. The Tours, France, native stopped all four shots sent her way against Colorado’s high-powered offense to improve her record to 3-2-1 between the posts.
For her stellar performance against Colorado, Cesar was also named College Soccer News’ Week 8 National Goalkeeper of the Week.
Congrats to Kaïna Cesar for being named the Goalkeeper of the Week 🫡 🗞️ https://t.co/P4T6WwK60r https://t.co/0ybihNLUAL
— UCF Women's Soccer (@UCF_WSoccer) October 7, 2026
The Big 12 weekly honors mark the first of the season for both Bellini and Cesar and the second and third for UCF after Naomi Clark previously earned Offensive Player of the Week honors in early September. The recognition is also the first career weekly conference honor for Bellini and the fifth for Cesar, who previously earned ASUN Goalkeeper of the Week honors four times while at Lipscomb. Cesar’s College Soccer News National Goalkeeper of the Week accolade is the first of her career.
UP NEXT
The Knights (6-3-1, 1-2-1 Big 12) will first hit the road this week to face defending Big 12 regular-season champion TCU on Thursday in Fort Worth before returning to the UCF Soccer Complex to host Oklahoma State on Sunday.
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.