ORLANDO – The UCF women’s soccer team will look to build off its first Big 12 Conference win of the season over then-No. 17 Colorado when it heads to Texas to battle reigning Big 12 regular-season champion TCU on Thursday night.
The Big 12 showdown is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT at TCU’s Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats available to follow on UCF.StatBroadcast.com.
The Knights will enter the contest with a 6-3-1 overall record and a 1-2-1 mark in Big 12 play. Most recently, the Black and Gold shut out the 17th-ranked Buffaloes at home in the program’s fifth annual Space Game. The win marked their first conference win and their second victory over a ranked opponent on the year.
In the match, UCF took an early lead thanks to Alysiah Lockette’s second goal of the season in the 14th minute. Defender Kalena Bellini played a major role in the play, threading the needle with a pass that went into the six-yard box and right to the feet of the transfer forward Lockette, notching her third assist of the year.
The Knights then carried the 1-0 advantage through halftime, as Clark kept the pressure on the Buffaloes with two quick shots on goal in the first minute after the break.
Her goal-scoring aspirations came to fruition in the 51st minute, as Clark found the back of the net all by herself, scoring an unassisted goal to give UCF a 2-0 lead. The score served as her Big 12-leading ninth goal of the season and also gave her a new career-high for goals scored in a single-season, breaking her previous high of eight last year at Oklahoma in nine fewer games.
The Knights continued to control the match from there, as the high-octane Colorado offense was held to just three shots the rest of the way and just eight on the night. Most notably, CU All-American and recent MAC Hermann Trophy Mid-Season Watch List honoree Hope Leyba recorded was limited to just one shot on the night.
The stifling UCF defense was led by Bellini and goalkeeper Kaïna Cesar, who stopped all four shots on goal fired her way en route to her second shutout this year and 21st of her career. She now holds a 3-2-1 record in goal on the season.
Their efforts did not go unrecognized, as Bellini was named the Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week, while Cesar achieved Goalkeeper of the Week honors. Bellini played all 90 minutes in the match and played a key role in limiting Colorado’s potent offense all night, rightfully earning her first career weekly conference accolade.
Cesar’s clean sheet led to her fifth career weekly conference honor and her first in Orlando, as she previously earned ASUN Goalkeeper of the Week honors at Lipscomb. Cesar was also named College Soccer News’ National Goalkeeper of the Week, the first of her career.
Clark, who was previously named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week in early September, paced the Knights with four shots and three on target, adding to her team-leading totals of 34 and 19, respectively. Lockette followed close behind with three shots and two on goal, helping UCF outshoot Colorado 14-8 and 10-4 in shots on goal.
Despite the impressive top 25 win, the Knights find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the IWSOC/United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll. The Black and Gold had previously spent four weeks in the national poll this year, most recently clocking in at No. 23 in Week 6. In the NCAA’s RPI rankings, UCF currently finds itself at No. 32 in the nation, moving up from No. 46 last week.
SEASON LEADERS
Senior forward Naomi Clark has made a name for herself this season, as her nine goals and 0.90 goals per game on the year lead the Big 12 conference. She is also tied for the lead in total points with 20 and first in points per game with an even 2.00. Additionally, her 1.90 shots on goal per game average puts her in second place in the league, while her 3.40 shots per game place her fifth. Nationally, Clark finds herself tied for ninth in the country in goals per game. Midfielder Ainsley Moy leads the squad with six assists, a total that has her tied for third in the Big 12. Her 0.60 assists per game are also second in the conference. Goalkeeper Kaïna Cesar leads the team with 27 saves in the box and a .730 save percentage.
YOUR BIG 12 LEADER
Transfer forward Naomi Clark has continued her fantastic first impression to Knight Nation, as she’s the Big 12 leader in a number of offensive categories. The Parker, Colorado, native registered all three goals in the Knights’ 3-1 win on Aug. 27 versus UAB, notching her first career hat trick and UCF’s first since Sept. 30, 2018. Most recently, Clark notched an important second-half goal versus then-No. 17 Colorado, extending the Knights’ lead to 2-0.
The senior’s nine goals through UCF’s 10 games are good enough to lead the Big 12 Conference by a wide margin. That mark also represents a new career-high for goals in a single-season, surpassing her previous high of eight last year at Oklahoma. She also tops the league in goals per game with a mark of 0.90. Her 20 total points are tied for the league lead, while her 2.00 points per game mark solely leads the conference. Additionally, Clark’s 1.90 shots on goal average places her second, 19 total shots on goal ties her for fifth, 3.42 shots per game ranks fifth, and her 34 total shots is tied for seventh in conference. Nationally, she is tied for ninth in goals per game.
The Big 12's Best 👊 https://t.co/vXOCsNS1SP
— UCF Women's Soccer (@UCF_WSoccer) October 7, 2026
KNIGHTS IN THE TOP 25 THIS SEASON
While outside of the top 25 this week, UCF has been nationally ranked four times this season, most recently checking in at No. 23 in the IWSOC/United Soccer Coaches Week 6 Top 25 Poll. UCF has climbed as high as No. 13 this season after previously being ranked No. 14 on Aug. 25. The Knights have also been ranked No. 13 on Sept. 1, No. 25 on Sept. 15, and No. 23 on Sept. 22.
The No. 13 ranking marked UCF’s highest since the 2017 season. The Knights are 1-3-1 this season when nationally ranked and 81-34-20 all-time as a ranked team, including a 43-14-10 mark at home. This season against nationally ranked teams, the Black and Gold hold a 2-0-1 record.
BELLINI AND CESAR EARN BIG 12 WEEKLY HONORS
Sophomore defender Kalena Bellini was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, while junior goalie Kaïna Cesar notched Goalkeeper of the Week honors after their performance against No. 17 Colorado last Friday. The two helped stifle Colorado’s prolific offense to just eight total shots, four shots on goal, and no goals in the Big 12 contest.
For Bellini, who played all 90 minutes in the match and also recorded an assist, this marks the first Big 12 Weekly award for her career. Cesar’s accolade represents her first Big 12 Weekly honor, but the fifth of her career as she previously notched four ASUN Goalkeeper of the Week awards during her time at Lipscomb. Cesar, who recorded her second clean sheet of the year, was also tabbed the College Soccer News’ National Goalkeeper of the Week, the first of her career.
In total, UCF now holds three Big 12 weekly honors on the season. Their first came in early September when Naomi Clark was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week following her first career hat trick versus UAB.
ABOUT TCU
The Horned Frogs will enter Thursday’s contest with a 5-4-1 overall record and a 2-2-0 mark in Big 12 Conference play, currently sitting in a tie for seventh place in the league standings. TCU has won two of its last three matches, earning a road victory at Utah on Sept. 24 before defeating Cincinnati at home last weekend. The Horned Frogs’ two conference losses have both come on the road, falling at BYU and Oklahoma State.
TCU was picked to repeat as Big 12 champion this season after claiming the 2025 regular-season title with an 18-3-3 overall record and a 9-1-1 conference mark. The Horned Frogs’ historic 2025 campaign came to a close in the semifinals of the NCAA College Cup with a 1-0 setback to eventual national champion Florida State.
Emma Yolinsky leads the Horned Frogs offensively this season with a team-high six goals after recording a brace in TCU’s most recent 2-0 victory over Cincinnati last Friday. A 2025 All-Big 12 Second Team and All-Freshman Team honoree, Yolinsky also leads the squad in points (13), shots (32) and shots on goal (15). Bella Diorio and Kamdyn Fuller are tied for the team lead with four assists apiece, while Preseason All-Big 12 selection Olivia Geller leads the way between the posts with 33 saves and a 5-4-1 record.
TCU is led by head coach Eric Bell, who is in his 15th season at the helm in Fort Worth and holds a 172-88-44 record. The winningest coach in program history, Bell has guided the Horned Frogs to four conference titles over the past six seasons and the program’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA College Cup last season.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. TCU
Thursday's contest will mark the fourth all-time meeting between the Knights and Horned Frogs. UCF will enter play holding a 2-1-0 all-time advantage and a perfect 2-0 mark against TCU in Fort Worth with wins in 2023 and 2014. The Horned Frogs did win the most recent contest, however, with a 4-2 victory in Orlando in 2024.
NAOMI CLARK TABBED BIG 12 OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior forward Naomi Clark was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 2 after notching her first career hat trick in UCF’s win over UAB. The conference weekly honor marked the first of the career for Clark and the first of the season for the Knights.
CLARK EARNS TOP DRAWER SOCCER TEAM OF THE WEEK HONORABLE MENTION HONORS
Senior forward Naomi Clark also received honorable mention Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week accolades on Sept. 1 after recording her first career hat trick against UAB. The TDS Team of the Week honor marks the second of Clark’s career, as she previously earned the recognition last August while playing for Oklahoma.
UNDEFEATED AGAINST SUNSHINE STATE FOES
UCF went a perfect 3-0 on the season versus Sunshine State opponents with wins over Florida, South Florida and North Florida. The Knights started the season with a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Gators and followed that up with a 2-0 victory at USF the following week. After having a match at FIU postponed due to heavy rainfall and unplayable field conditions, UCF then capped in-state play with a 1-0 home win over UNF.
The Knights are now 7-1-0 against Sunshine State opponents over the last two years.
MAKE THAT FIVE STRAIGHT AGAINST SEC OPPONENTS
The Knights hold wins over both Florida and No. 21 LSU on the season to move their win streak over SEC opponents to five. UCF has defeated both Florida and LSU twice during the streak, as well as No. 8 Georgia at home in 2024.
The Black and Gold’s last non-victory against an opponent from the SEC was Aug. 25, 2024, when they drew with Florida in Gainesville. The Knights’ last loss to an SEC foe came on Aug. 24, 2023, at Georgia.
COACH TIFF TO REPRESENT USWNT AT 2027 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
UCF head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak has rejoined the U.S. Women's National Team as a current assistant coach on Emma Hayes' staff. Roberts Sahaydak has been with the USWNT a number of times during 2026, as she took part in the team's January Camp, in February for the SheBelieves Cup, in April for the April Camp (friendlies vs. Japan), and in June for the June Camp (friendlies vs. Brazil). She will remain on staff and represent her home nation at the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
As a player, Roberts Sahaydak won both Olympic Gold (1996) and the 1999 World Cup with the USWNT. She went on to earn 112 caps for her country. She also previously spent time as an assistant coach for the USWNT in 2022 and 2023 for the 2023 Women's World Cup that was held in Australia/New Zealand.
FRESHMAN DANIELA OCAMPO TOOK PART IN 2026 FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP
Freshman midfielder Daniela Ocampo represented her home nation of Costa Rica at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup from Sept. 5-27 in Poland.
Despite Costa Rica having their run come to a close in the group stage with an 0-3 record, Ocampo started all three matches for Costa Rica. The national appearance wasn’t the first for Ocampo, as she previously competed for Costa Rica at both the 2024 U-20 World Cup as well as the 2025 U-17 World Cup where she was a team captain for her home nation.
MOST CURRENT PROS IN THE BIG 12
UCF women's soccer has the most current pros of any Big 12 institution with 28. Former goalkeeper Genesis Perez Watson was the latest Knight to go pro as the 2025 All-Big 12 Second Team honoree signed a professional contract with Atlético Madrid of the Spanish Liga F this summer.
Fellow 2025 All-Big 12 honorees Liz Worden and Rajanah Reed also went pro, as Worden plays for Racing Power FC of Liga BPI and Reed for Dallas Trinity FC of the USL Super League.
UP NEXT
Following the match, the Knights will return to the UCF Soccer Complex to host Oklahoma State on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Following Sunday’s matinee, UCF the Black and Gold will return to the road to take on No. 16/15 West Virginia on Friday, Oct. 16 in Morgantown.
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.
Heading to Fort Worth to face the defending Big 12 champs ⚔️ https://t.co/BXvb6yUrlj
— UCF Women's Soccer (@UCF_WSoccer) October 6, 2026