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The Women’s Soccer team will be the first UCF Knights team to take the field in the 2022-23 season when they face the Florida Gators on Thursday, August 18th at 6 p.m. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Knights as they start their campaign:
Last Season
8-7-1 (3-4-1 AAC), 6th place in The American
Postseason: Lost in AAC Tournament First Round to Memphis
2021 started great for the Knights, but ended in a nightmare. UCF got a few key non-conference wins over Texas, LSU, and No. 7 Penn State, and were ranked as high as 14th in the United Soccer Coaches’ poll heading into conference play.
But an AAC-opening loss to Houston dug UCF a hole they couldn’t quite get out of. They went winless in their first four conference matches (against the top four teams in the conference), snagging only a draw against SMU. They rebounded with three straight wins but then dropped a 3-1 decision to 7th-place Cincinnati on the final day of the regular season, which was the real killer.
They ended up having to go to Memphis for the first round of the AAC Tournament, where their season ended at the hands of the eventual conference tournament champs with no hope of an at-large NCAA bid.
This Season
Picked 3rd in The American, tied with SMU
.@MemphisWSoccer has been named the @American_Conf Preseason Favorite! pic.twitter.com/3g9YqlCwW7
— American WSoccer (@American_WSoc) August 16, 2022
Memphis is back. UCF’s primary nemesis from the C-USA days is expected to defend their surprise conference championship from last year, where they beat UCF and then knocked off both teams that earned the bye to take the title.
Houston, Cincinnati, and South Florida should also contend for the conference crown in what figures to be a loaded AAC in 2022.
The Knights picked up a first-place vote in the preseason coaches poll. This will be UCF’s final season in The American before joining the Big 12.
Who’s in Charge
Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak — 10th Season at UCF
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The three-time AAC Coach of the Year enters her tenth season at UCF with the prime directive of getting back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017. The USWNT legend finally had a full, normal off-season for the first time since 2019, after COVID pushed back the 2020 season to the spring of 2021, and then the 2021 season went off that fall.
She is just one win shy of becoming just the second UCF head coach with 100 wins, behind her predecessor and fellow USWNT alum Amanda Cromwell, who posted 203 victories over her 14 years in Orlando.
UCF Under Coach Sahaydak
Year | Overall | Conference | AAC Reg. Season | AAC Tournament | NCAA Tournament |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Overall | Conference | AAC Reg. Season | AAC Tournament | NCAA Tournament |
2013 | 16-3-4 | 8-0-1 | 1st | Won AAC Tournament | First Round |
2014 | 18-5-0 | 8-1-0 | 1st | Lost Semis (UConn) | Sweet 16 |
2015 | 12-6-2 | 6-3-0 | 3rd | Lost Semis in OT (USF) | First Round |
2016 | 9-8-2 | 4-4-1 | 6th | Lost 1st Round in PKs (SMU) | - |
2017 | 13-2-3 | 7-0-2 | 1st | Lost Final in PKs (USF) | First Round |
2018 | 10-7-1 | 6-3-0 | 3rd | Lost Semis (MEM) | - |
2019 | 11-4-4 | 5-2-2 | 3rd | Lost Semis (USF) | - |
2020* | 2-4-1 | 2-4-1 | 6th | DNQ | - |
2021 | 8-7-1 | 3-4-1 | 6th | Lost 1st Round (MEM) | - |
Total | 99-46-18 | 49-21-8 | 3 Titles | 1 Title | 4 Appearances |
Listen to our preview podcast with Coach Sahaydak here:
What to Watch for
Scoring Chances
Last year was bizarre for UCF on offense. They finished in the top 50 in the NCAA in scoring offense at 2.00 goals per game despite being ranked 211th in total shots (11.62/game), 225th in shots on goal (5.25/game) and 271st in corner kicks (3.50/game). For UCF’s offensive stars to flourish, they just need more chances.
The Back
Last season’s AAC Goalkeeper of the Year Caroline DeLisle returns in net, but she’ll need help from her back line in order to cut down on the number of shots sent her way. Last season, three of UCF’s four conference losses came by one goal. The Knights brought in two fifth-year transfer defenders, Kelis Barton from Washington State and Georgia Eaton-Collins from Florida, to shore up the back.
The duo adds backline depth that the team has not had in past seasons, Sahaydak said.
“We start off strong, and then we start to lose a little bit of momentum because we’re tired,” Sahaydak said. “90-minute games, two games a week, going back-to-back, that’s too much load on our players and there’s no way you can keep up that type of intensity and performance and even mentally be ready game-in game-out. You need rotation.”
Who to Watch
Check out this year's @American_Conf Preseason All-Conference Team! pic.twitter.com/Zhsk8HrxIq
— American WSoccer (@American_WSoc) August 16, 2022
The Knights lead the AAC with three players on the Preseason All-Conference Team in GK Caroline DeLisle, F Kristen Scott, and D Darya Rajaee. The trio were also all named to the All-AAC First Team at the end of last season.
#1 Caroline DeLisle - Goalkeeper
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The Tampa native was one of three AAC goalkeepers to face more than 200 shots last season. She ended the season with an 81.2% save percentage, the second-best in the conference.
DeLisle was also selected as this season’s Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year by the conference.
While she could due not having to defend over 200 shots in a season, her goalkeeping proved crucial for the Knights’ continued contention for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
For more about DeLisle, check out her Know Your Knight article from last year.
2021 @American_Conf Goalkeeper of the Year @carol_delisle of @UCF_WSoccer has been picked to repeat this season! pic.twitter.com/DsBp3sGjY1
— American WSoccer (@American_WSoc) August 16, 2022
#7 Kristen Scott - Forward
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The Edgewater High School product was the main driver of the UCF offense last season, scoring a career-high 10 goals. Her 44 shots and 23 shots on goal are just under double that of the next highest player on the team.
While last season showed she cannot do it all on her own, she still has a vital role in the team’s offensive success.
#21 Darya Rajaee - Midfielder
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Fresh off being named to the AAC’s Midfielder of the Year last season, the Gainesville native becomes the most senior member of the midfield this season.
#8 Ariel Young - Defender
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While not named to the All-AAC 1st Team like DeLisle, Scott, and Rajaee, the Canadian was one of six Knights to start in all 16 games last season and unanimously selected for the AAC All-Rookie team. She will need some backup on the backline, however, since the Knights were outshot by their opponents last season, 210-186.
Who We’ll Miss
#20 Madison Murnin - Midfielder
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Murnin was the lone fifth-year senior on last year’s team and was one of seven Knights to play in all 16 games, starting in 13 of them.
While she was not one for shooting, with only five shots to her name last season, she did contribute three assists and was a reliable presence in the midfield.
Who’s New That’s Good
#26 Georgia Eaton-Collins - Defender
Welcome to the #UCFamily Georgia!#ChargeOn⚔️ pic.twitter.com/ZSJiFxLZ4L
— UCF Women's Soccer (@UCF_WSoccer) April 18, 2022
The England native graduated from Florida a couple months ago with a Sports Management degree and has now transferred to UCF for her final season of eligibility.
Eaton-Collins ranked 3rd on the Gators last season in minutes played after starting in 18 of 19 matches she played in. She also scored two goals on seven shots.
Prior to Florida, Eaton-Collins was a member of England’s U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-19 national teams and named the U-20 Player of the 2017-18 season for Arsenal as the club won the Women’s Super League development championship.
#15 Mia Asenjo - Forward
ICYMI: @MiaAsenjo was named to the @USLWLeague Team of the Year! #ChargeOn https://t.co/o49thizMtd
— UCF Women's Soccer (@UCF_WSoccer) August 4, 2022
While technically not a new face per se, the redshirt freshman out of Malverne, New York will make her UCF debut this season after a torn ACL sidelined her for all of 2021.
“I projected that she was going to be a freshmen that would come in and make a huge impact for freshman year for us, and so not having her was a big blow,” Sahaydak said.
This summer, with her rehab complete, Asenjo competed in the USL W League with Queensboro FC, based in Queens, New York. Her 11 goals and 23 points were not only the third-highest in the league that season, but also enough for her to be named to the All-USL W League First Team.
“She's so excited and I’m so excited for her, and the team is excited about her,” Sahaydak said. “She’s going to be a huge impact for us. She’s going to be a big piece of our success.”
Who’s On the Roster
- 15 Fifth-Years and Seniors
- 24 returners
- 3 transfers
- 4 incoming freshmen
- 15 Floridians — 7 from Central Florida
- 9 International players (Canada, New Zealand, France, Spain, Germany, England, Finland)
2022 UCF Women’s Soccer Roster
No. | Name | Pos | Year | 2021 School | 2021 Stats |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Name | Pos | Year | 2021 School | 2021 Stats |
0 | Brianna Waggoner | GK | R-Sr. | UCF | Did not play |
1 | Caroline DeLisle | GK | R-Sr. | UCF | AAC GK of the Year, 16 Starts, 18 GA, 78 Saves (2nd AAC), 5 Shutouts |
2 | Olivia Lewis | D | Sr. | UCF | 16 Starts |
3 | Marta Estupinan | D | Sr. | UCF | 1 Goal in 12 games |
4 | Jessica McCullen | D | Fr. | Lyman HS | 3-time Team MVP at Lyman |
5 | Ellie Moreno | F | Sr. | UCF | 5 Goals, 5 Ast in 14 games |
6 | Anna Henderson | F | R-Sr. | UCF | 5 Ast in 11 games |
7 | Kristen Scott | F | 5th | UCF | All-AAC 1st Team, 16 Starts, 10 Goals (2nd AAC), 3 Ast |
8 | Ariel Young | D | R-So. | UCF | AAC All-Rookie Team, 2 goals in 16 games |
9 | Sanja Homann | M | Sr. | UCF | 1 Goal, 1 Ast in 8 games |
11 | Polly Watson | M | Fr. | Manchester United Women's Academy | 1 Goal in 4 games for ManU's U21 team |
12 | Katie Bradley | M | Jr. | UCF | 3 Goals, 2 Ast in 16 games |
13 | Maria Tregansin | M | R-Fr. | UCF | Redshirted |
14 | Mathilde Kack | D | 5th | UCF | Started all 16 games |
15 | Mia Asenjo | F | R-Fr. | UCF | Injured all of 2021, 11 goals in 12 games in USL W League this summer |
16 | Mallory Olsson | F | 5th | UCF | 4 Goals in 15 games |
17 | Dayana Martin | F | R-Sr. | UCF | 1 Goal, 1 Ast in 10 games |
18 | Jade Barkett | D | R-So. | UCF | Did not play, played all 7 games in Spring 2021 |
19 | Maggie Jenkins | M | R-So. | UCF | 2 Ast in 11 games |
20 | Annika Huhta | M | So. | North Carolina | 11 games |
21 | Darya Rajaee | M | 5th | UCF | AAC Midfielder of the Year, All-AAC 1st Team, 3 Goals, 3 Ast |
22 | Kailey Scott | F | R-So. | UCF | Played only one game due to injury |
23 | Talia Gabarra | F | Sr. | UCF | 2 Ast in 16 games |
24 | Emma Agin | M | Jr. | UCF | 1 Ast in 2 games |
25 | Brooke Mulroney | M | Fr. | Thayer Academy (MA) | Initially committed to Boston College |
26 | Georgia Eaton-Collins | D | 5th | Florida | 2 Goals, 1 Ast in 19 games at UF |
27 | Jade Steele | M | Jr. | UCF | 6 games |
28 | Audrey Buck | D | Fr. | Melbourne Beach HS | Played for Orlando Pride Developmental Program |
30 | Lizah Pistorio | GK | R-Jr. | UCF | Did not play |
32 | Tianna Hogan | F | R-So. | UCF | Did not play |
51 | Kelis Barton | D | 5th | Washington State | 1 Ast in 17 games |
The Schedule
In eight non-conference games, UCF faces four teams that made the NCAA Tournament last year and two others who came within one game of making it.
In the conference, the Knights’ slate is heavily bookended, as they start AAC play with the reigning AAC Tournament champs and preseason favorites from Memphis, and end with back-to-back tough matches with Houston at home and at South Florida.
UCF Women’s Soccer 2022 Schedule
Date | Day | H/A | Time | Opponent | Conf - Preseason Rank | Coaches Poll | 2021 | RPI | UCF's Result LY | Last Season |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date | Day | H/A | Time | Opponent | Conf - Preseason Rank | Coaches Poll | 2021 | RPI | UCF's Result LY | Last Season |
Aug 18 | Thu | H | 6 p.m. | Florida | SEC - Last | - | 4-12-4 | 123 | Won 2-1 | 12th in SEC |
Aug 21 | Sun | A | 1 p.m. | LSU | SEC - 10th | - | 11-8-1 | 49 | Lost 2-0 | Lost NCAA 1st Round to Memphis |
Aug 25 | Thu | A | 5 p.m. | Utah Valley | WAC - 2nd | - | 13-7-2 | 75 | - | Lost in WAC Championship |
Aug 28 | Sun | H | 1 p.m. | FGCU | ASUN - 2nd | - | 9-6-1 | 104 | - | Won A-Sun East Division, missed NCAAs |
Sep 1 | Thu | A | 1 p.m. | North Florida | ASUN - 5th | - | 9-4-3 | 92 | - | Missed A-SUN Tournament |
Sep 4 | Sun | H | 6 p.m. | Ole Miss | SEC - 9th | 18 | 12-6-3 | 28 | Won 3-0 | 3rd in SEC, lost in NCAA 1st Round |
Sep 11 | Sun | A | 1 p.m. | North Carolina | ACC - 3rd | 10 | 12-3-3 | 11 | No Contest (Rain) | 6th in ACC, Lost NCAA 1st Round to S. Carolina |
Sep 15 | Thu | A | 7 p.m. | Memphis | American - 1st | 22 | 14-5-2 | 33 | Lost 2-1 | 3rd in AAC, Won AAC Tournament, Lost to (1) Duke in NCAA 2nd Round |
Sep 18 | Sun | A | 1 p.m. | Texas | Big 12 - 2nd | RV | 11-5-6 | 39 | Won 4-0 | 2nd in Big 12, Lost NCAA 1st Round to SMU |
Sep 29 | Thu | H | 6 p.m. | Cincinnati | American - T5th | - | 7-7-3 | 80 | Lost 3-1 | 7th in AAC |
Oct 6 | Thu | A | 7 p.m. | Temple | American - 7th | - | 5-8-3 | 196 | Won 5-0 | 8th in AAC |
Oct 9 | Sun | H | 1 p.m. | SMU | American - T3rd | 23 | 12-5-2 | 23 | Tied 1-1 | 4th in AAC, Lost NCAA 2nd Round to National Champs Florida St. |
Oct 16 | Sun | A | 1 p.m. | Tulsa | American - Last | - | 6-9-2 | 187 | Won 3-0 | Last in AAC |
Oct 20 | Thu | H | 6 p.m. | ECU | American - 8th | - | 8-9-2 | 73 | Won 2-0 | 5th in AAC, Lost in AAC 1st Round |
Oct 23 | Sun | H | 1 p.m. | Houston | American - T5th | - | 13-5-2 | 56 | Lost, 1-0 | 2nd in AAC, Lost AAC Semis |
Oct 27 | Thu | A | 7 p.m. | South Florida | American - 2nd | - | 12-4-3 | 32 | Lost, 2-1 | 1st in AAC, Lost NCAA 1st Round to NC State |
American Athletic Conference Tournament
- Top two teams receive a bye to the semifinals
- First Round (at 3-seed and 4-seed’s campus): Oct. 30
- Semifinals (at regular-season champion): Nov. 3
- Final (at regular-season champion): Nov. 6
The Last Time...
UCF won an NCAA Tournament game: 2014. It was Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak’s second year, and the Knights reached the Sweet 16 after winning The American’s regular season title. The Knights are in the midst of their longest NCAA Tournament drought since 1992-1997.
UCF won The American: 2017. There have been multiple close calls along the way, including a PK stunner in 2016, 1-0 semifinal losses in 2015 (in OT), 2018 and 2019, and a loss on PKs in the final in 2017 at home to South Florida.
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