This past weekend saw quite a bit of drama for both Women's Soccer and Volleyball.
Women's Soccer Stuns FGCU Despite Weather
Down 3-1 in the second half, UCF again rallied for a comeback road victory, this time over Florida Gulf Coast.
An 86th-minute rebound goal by Hannah DeBose gave UCF a 4-3 lead, and it was just in time, as thunder and lightning forced the end of the game before a full 90 could be played.
Carol Rodrigues ignited the comeback in the second half with her seventh goal of the season, and added two assists on the night.
The Knights have now won four in a row
Next Up: #5 Florida Gators in Gainesville, Sunday September 18th.
Volleyball Drops Heartbreaker to LSU, Finishes 2nd in Tournament
After defeating FAU in their first match of the weekend thanks to 22 kills from Jale Hervey, UCF pushed SEC foe LSU to five sets at home last Friday, but struggled mightily in the fifth, falling short at home in the Knights second home tournament of the season.
Hervey, Taylor Gallart and Kia Bright all finished with 16+ kills on the night, but UCF fell down 7-1 in the fifth and that was pretty much that.
Coach Todd Dagenais sounded understandably disappointed immediately after the loss:
But after a day off, UCF finished the weekend on the up-swing with a key three-set win over Seattle - a major psychological boost after the gut-wrenching conclusion to the LSU match.
Last season, Seattle was a top-150 RPI team, so the victory should count as a quality win for the Knights this year. Jale Hervey had another 15 kills, and freshman Alli Sabol, seeing her first significant home action of the year, capped off her weekend with eight kills.
Coach Dagenais reflected on the weekend Monday:
Here's Todd's Take for the weekend:
Thoughts: 2 losses in 5 sets stings. FSU is a top 10 team and we weren't far behind. 9-1 start wasn't out of question.
— Todd Dagenais (@ucfvbtodd) September 11, 2016
Thoughts: our two setters are doing a tremendous job of keeping our offensive numbers high.
— Todd Dagenais (@ucfvbtodd) September 11, 2016
Thoughts: captains are doing a fantastic job of keeping everything in perspective.
— Todd Dagenais (@ucfvbtodd) September 11, 2016
Thoughts: yes our line up is completely different than we drew it up in August. Still may not be done.
— Todd Dagenais (@ucfvbtodd) September 11, 2016
Thoughts: when we get our middles involved more we will be a very difficult team to defend.
— Todd Dagenais (@ucfvbtodd) September 11, 2016
Thoughts: we have the ability to play 12 different right side and left side hitters depending on situation. First time in my career
— Todd Dagenais (@ucfvbtodd) September 11, 2016
Final thought: AAC is more wide open than I thought. Sunday road wins will determine champion. Nice Sunday win for us to start the mentality
— Todd Dagenais (@ucfvbtodd) September 11, 2016
Next Up: The Holiday Inn Orlando East/UCF Challenge, with UNC Asheville (2015 RPI #241, noon) and Central Arkansas (#135, 7:30 p.m.) Friday, followed by Central Michigan (#258) Saturday at 4 p.m. You should spend some of your tailgate at the Venue before the Maryland game.