“This win is definitely an accomplishment to be proud of, but we don’t stop here,” said head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak. “We will build off this experience as we go after all the goals we want to accomplish this season, including advancing to the College Cup.”

There are few situations in athletics as dramatic as overtime in collegiate soccer. With the “golden goal” rule in effect, the moment either team scores, the match ends instantaneously, delivering pure euphoria for the victor and agony for the defeated.

With the score deadlocked 1-1 at the end of regulation of Friday’s match against No. 4 North Carolina, UCF head coach Roberts Sahaydak huddled the women’s soccer team together on the field and reminded the players of one of the goals they set during preseason:

Remain undefeated at home.

No exceptions. No asterisks. Especially against North Carolina.

So after time stopped in the 105th minute when Christine Creighton‘s shot connected with the upper left corner of the net, the Knights rushed the field and the dogpile cleared, Roberts Sahaydak huddled up her team again.

“This is seriously the best win I have ever been a part of – I’m not joking,” said the World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist.

The team didn’t let her finish. They began jumping and a chant broke out: “Tiff! Tiff! Tiff! Tiff!”

Her words spoke to the magnitude of the moment.

North Carolina women’s soccer is considered one of the top dynasties in any collegiate or professional sport. Under the direction of Hall of Famer Anson Dorrance, the Tar Heels have captured 22 of the 36 national championships in the history of the game.

Prior to Aug. 25, UCF and UNC had squared off 21 times in 36 years, and the Knights had yet to notch a mark in the win column. They came close in 2011 with a dramatic finish in the NCAA Sweet 16, advancing to the Elite 8 in penalty kicks, but like all postseason shootouts, that memorable match is officially entered in the record books as a tie.

On Friday, UCF became the 31st program to record a victory against UNC since 1979. The outcome marked the Tar Heels’ 68th loss ever, which averages out to less than two losses a season.

So the win, which also marked the Knights’ first victory over a top-five opponent since 2009, won’t soon be forgotten.

“It was, by far, the best experience I’ve had in four years,” senior forward said

“It’s hard to compare to anything else.”

“And what made the victory even sweeter, echoed senior defender , was that it was a total team effort.”

Both Adamek and Fredriksson pointed to the culture that the Sahaydaks have created at UCF as a big reason for the victory.

“Over the past four years, Coach has really tried to create this culture that I really think we have this year,” Adamek said. “I think that’s what makes our team so special. We definitely wanted to return the favor and get the win for her.”

Roberts Sahaydak, who played for the Tar Heels from 1995-98 and won two national championships in Chapel Hill, is the first UNC alumna head coach to beat Dorrance, who has notched all 811 of his wins at Carolina.

“(Coach Dorrance) is a mentor of mine,” Roberts Sahaydak said. “I grew up playing for him. He was my first national team coach. He told me (at the end of the game) that my players play like me. That is the best compliment that I can get because (Coach Dorrance) always said that my best quality was playing with my heart. He saw that in my team tonight.”

UCF won’t be back in action at home until Sept. 8, but with a trip to Arizona and Arizona State on the docket over Labor Day weekend, the Knights will use the confidence-builder against UNC as they shift focus to their next challenge.

Head women’s soccer coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak won an Olympic gold medal in women’s soccer in 1996. Head women’s track and field coach Jeanette Bolden was a member of the gold-medal winning 4×100-meter relay team in 1984. Assistant track and field/cross country coach Johnny Gray won a bronze medal in the 800 meters in 1992. Bolden was also the U.S. Olympic team’s head women’s track and field coach in 2008.

They are looking forward to watching the competition over the next few weeks. There’s a good chance that seeing the competition in Rio de Janeiro, the medal presentations and the opening and closing ceremonies will bring a flood of great memories back for each of these Olympic Knights.

“It’s an experience that is so hard to put into words,” Bolden said. “It’s a feeling of ultimate accomplishment because you’ve dreamed about it, you’ve sacrificed for it. It finally came true. You’re in the opening ceremonies and you’re just in awe. That’s all you can do is say ‘Wow!’ and be in awe of walking with the USA [gear] on.”

After winning her gold medal, Sahaydak and her teammates were sent back to the locker room to change into their medal presentation uniforms. She said returning into the stadium was surreal.

“I remember coming back out on to the field, I will never forget that moment,” she said. “With all the fans in the stadium and all the cameras flickering, it looked like stars shining in the night. It’s something you dream of. It was pretty intense.”

Gray had a rather pragmatic view on the experience.

“You see all of these other countries and you’re actually representing the U.S. of A,” he said. “We go out and we have friendly competition with other parts of the country in a sport that is giving to the world. We’re sharing with the world that we don’t have to fight like we see on television. It’s about just trying to perform at the best of your abilities, and then afterwards, everybody shakes hands
at the end, we’re still human. We’re still one as a people, and we can still love and exist together. Love one another and exist together. That is the feeling that I got from the Olympics.”

While Bolden, Gray and Sahaydak all competed in the Olympics more than 20 years ago, those experiences certainly help their respective UCF programs in a number of ways.

“The culture that we have here at UCF, a lot of that has been developed through my experiences with the national team,” Sahaydak said. “We had unbelievable leadership, not just from the coaches but also from my teammates. That is where I learned my leadership skills. I rely on those experiences every day in order to be the best coach I can be.”

Gray doesn’t bring up his Olympic experience, but focuses his recruiting pitch on what UCF offers a prospective student-athlete. But that’s not to say it doesn’t come up in conversation. Gray has also coached Olympians, which can resonate with recruits.

“These kids weren’t born when I was running,” he said. “Once they find out that I’m from the Olympics, it definitely helps. That’s definitely something good to have on your resume. I say ‘Not only am I a coach, but I’ve been where you are as an athlete. I know what you’re feeling; I know what you’re going through. I know what it takes to try to win.’”

Bolden said when she talks to a student-athlete who has the ability to be an Olympian, her experience competing and coaching in the Games makes an impact.

“When I talk to them, I tell them ‘I didn’t read about the Olympics; I experienced it firsthand. That’s something that I can tell you that some of the other coaches can’t tell you,’” she said. “Being a coach in the 2008 Olympics, I can tell them what goes on from the coaching side. So yes, I definitely use that.”

Reis is one of three UCF alumni who will compete in the Olympics this year. She is making her first Olympics appearance along with Ricardo Gouveia ’14 (Portugal, golf) and three-time Olympian Phil Dalhausser ’02,  will look to recreate some magic from the 2008 Beijing Games when he won gold for Team USA in beach volleyball.

Reis was an All-American goalkeeper for the UCF women’s soccer team from 2007 to11 before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and minors in coaching and health sciences. After a brief stint playing overseas, Reis got into coaching and spent the past two years on UCLA’s soccer staff as a volunteer goalkeeper coach, but she said she felt a desire to play again after watching the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015.

She was called up to Brazil’s National Team Camp in February with no guarantees of a spot on the Olympic roster. She had never competed in a match for Brazil’s National Team before, so she was overjoyed when she claimed one of the two coveted goalkeeper slots on the 18-member roster.

Reis posted this on her Facebook account July 12, the day she learned she made the cut:

“Last Fall I decided to put my gloves back on again, fight for a shot at the National Team and earn a spot on the Olympic roster.

So I trained my butt off, packed my bags and left a fine life behind to go back home to pursue the dream.

Today I’m so thrilled to announce that I made the Brazilian Olympic Roster for Rio 2016. While I’m thankful for my faith and courage to go after my passion, I’m far more grateful for the tremendous amount of support and encouragement I received along the way from all those who surround me. I’m blessed!

But the dream is far from over… and I won’t rest until my teammates and I have a gold medal on our chest!”

Reis knows she has the support of her home country and her fellow Knights.

“So many people have reached out to me and made sure I knew they are sending me good vibes and cheering for me. It is absolutely awesome to have my fellow Knights supporting me!” she told UCFKnights.com. “My years at UCF were crucial at shaping the person and the player I am today.”

Olympic soccer matches will be played Aug. 3-19. Brazil’s first match is scheduled Wednesday against China at 3 p.m. and will stream live on

“Being on an Olympic roster is something very special. It’s an honor to know that I will be part of such an elite group of Knights who have participated in the Games,” Reis said. “I’m thrilled and beyond grateful for this opportunity.”

Reis is the fifth current or former student-athlete to earn a spot at the Olympics, joining:
-Fellow women’s soccer alum Michelle Akers (1996 Atlanta; USA)
-Track and field’s Afia Charles (2012 London; Antigua and Barbuda)
-Baseball’s Laurence Heisler (2004 Athens; Greece)
-Men’s golfer Ricardo Gouveia (2016 Rio; Portugal)
—Beach volleyballer and gold medalist Phil Dalhausser (3-time Olympian; USA) competed for UCF’s club volleyball team but was never a Division I student-athlete.

Reis was called up to Brazil’s National Team Camp in February. After graduating in 2011 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies (minors in coaching and health sciences) she played professionally in Finland with Seinajoen Mimmiliiga. Reis was selected for the NSCAA 30 under 30 Coaching Program in 2013 and has served as a volunteer assistant coach for UCLA since 2013 under former Knights head coach Amanda Cromwell.

Reis said she felt a desire to play again after watching the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015.

“Every game I watched made me miss playing the game I’m so passionate about it,” she said. “Life was good, and I was happy with where I was, but I missed being on the field. So I finally accepted that my playing years weren’t over and that I still had some dreams to chase.”

Reis has been involved with several of Brazil’s National Team camps, but had never be named to a roster for a major competition until Tuesday. She said the team has been in a residential program since last year, so she was a little intimidated about fitting in with its chemistry but didn’t let the jitters daunt her from her goal.

“I was confident I could add value to the group and knew I had something different to offer them,” she said. “So I focused on being myself, as authentic as possible, because I trusted that they would embrace me when the time was right.”

A native of Campinas, Brazil, which is located about 60 miles northwest of Sao Paulo, Reis couldn’t be happier that her first Olympics will take place in front of her friends and family.

“Sometimes I catch myself day-dreaming about the possibility of standing on the podium with my teammates, with a gold medal on our chest in front of thousands of Brazilians,” she said. “I also know that the pressure and responsibility will be enormous, bigger than any other Olympics that Brazil has played in. But that can be fun, too.”

Reis has been sharing her journey via Facebook. She said she has been overwhelmed by the amount of support she has received from her UCF family.

During her career at UCF, Reis was an NSCAA All-America selection as a sophomore; a Hermann Trophy Watch List member in 2009; a four-time NSCAA all-region and Conference USA all-conference honoree; a member of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS first team; and a two-time NSCAA College Scholar All-American.

Reis still ranks second in UCF’s record book for career saves and fourth for shutouts. In her senior year, she led UCF to NCAA Elite Eight for the first time since 1987.

“So many people have reached out to me and made sure I knew they are sending me good vibes and cheering for me. It is absolutely awesome to have my fellow Knights supporting me!” she said. “My years at UCF were crucial at shaping the person and the player I am today. (Former coaches) Amanda Cromwell and Donna Fishter were incredible mentors to me and helped me take my game to the next level. Undoubtedly, my experience at UCF put me a lot closer to achieving the Olympic dream. So, I’m proud to be a Knight and thankful that UCF helped me become a part of this elite group of student-athletes who made the Olympics.”

After being cut from the men’s soccer team following his freshman year, Weiss worked his way back onto the squad in the fall of 2013 and is now a member of the starting lineup.

“I think that’s what makes him special. He’s really fought through. Most kids, when they get into normal school life after being cut from a team or not making a team, I think they just fall into the normal habits of a student and maybe they lose that edge to be competitive,” UCF men’s soccer head coach Bryan Cunningham said. “I think what makes Jake special is that he was able to put all that on the side. He came out to all of our games even though he wasn’t on the team, and he just grew as a person.”

Weiss only logged three minutes in a victory over North Florida his first season as a Knight in 2011. Once the spring of Weiss’ freshman year had come to a close, UCF’s young soccer player was unsure of his status as a member of the team. By the end of the season, Cunningham and his staff eventually made the tough decision that Weiss had felt coming.

“We actually cut him from the roster,” Cunningham said. “After the spring of 2011, he just really wasn’t where he needed to be. We didn’t see the development and the commitment from Jake at the time. He was young, very intelligent and a good player in high school and with his club team, but he was finding the balance of being a great student [and] at the same time, trying to compete on a Top-25 team.”

The decision, regardless of his gut feeling, still resonated with shock. Weiss hadn’t expected that his coach would actually cut him from the sport he had played his entire life. He said that he had tried several sports when he was younger, from football to baseball, but it was soccer that truly hooked him.

“I just loved soccer,” Weis said. “I loved running around. Soccer is very active and you have to be aware for 90 minutes. It’s a lot more fun for me.”

For Weiss, it was his love for the game that motivated him to continue to work. He trained on his own, playing state cup with an under-19 squad, and he continued to excel in the classroom with a sickening work ethic to perform at the highest level.

“I have a 3.99,” Weiss said. “I got an A- in economics freshman fall. It still gets me mad all the time. I got a 92 and an A was a 93. It just irritates me, but nothing I can do about it now.”

But even as he rallied off impressive grades and worked at staying active, Weiss still found it rough watching friends and roommates leave to go to practice.

“I missed it. I missed waking up and training every day. Going to class, everyone can do that but not everyone can say they played a college sport at a high level,” Weiss explained. “It was something that motivated me. Plus my roommates motivated me because they were always going out and training and traveling to the games. I missed that, it was always fun.”

Cunningham told Weiss to use his time away from the team to improve, to get better and to prove that he belonged. So, he did just that and hustled to develop his skills as a soccer player. Weiss was determined to return to the sport he loved.

“He came by the office and asked for an opportunity to try out again, and it was actually pretty seamless. He fought his way back onto the team,” Cunningham said. “He was fitter, he was stronger, and I think he was in a better place mentally. I think he was a lot more mature, and ever since then he’s blossomed into a player that we can depend on.”

Through his undeterred perseverance and mental toughness, Weiss has now developed into a consistent contributor for UCF and is currently holding on to a starting job for the Knights. The team depends on Weiss to deliver on the field, and it has been his overall reliability as a teammate that has set him apart.

“He really wanted to make a point and prove that he could not only be on this roster but also contribute,” Cunningham said. “You can count on him. As a head coach, that’s what you want. You want players who are consistent and you know what you’re going to get out of them every single time. I think that speaks to Jake and his attitude and his determination.”

Weiss has woven his determination from the field with his efforts in the classroom and as graduation approaches in December, he is looking forward to applying to UCF’s industrial organizational PhD program.

“This is where I want to go,” Weiss said. “I’d like to be able to work with businesses and consulting with employee selection and motivation with workers, and also be able to help businesses run more efficiently.”

For the time being, Weiss is focused on helping the Knights return to the NCAA Tournament, a homecoming of sorts as the Knights made the Big Dance his freshman season when they were knocked out of the second round by rival USF. For Weiss, this would truly mean coming full-circle.

He is the only player during Cunningham’s seven-year tenure at UCF who has fought his way back after being cut from the team.

“We all have our troubles in life and our pitfalls if you will, and it’s how you recover from that. Can you persevere and fight your way through it?” Cunningham said. “I think that’s Jake.”

The viewings are free to attend and are shown in the activity room on a 150-inch LCD projector screen. Snacks and drinks are provided, and the UCF community is welcome to attend. The Barbara Ying Center is located on the main campus off Central Florida Boulevard, near the Academic Village student housing.

The two groups want to use soccer’s international following to promote unity among UCF students. With more than 3,500 international students representing nearly 150  nations at UCF, the viewings provide a place for students of different backgrounds to communicate and bond over some fun and healthy competition. This is the third time the organizations have hosted the event, which is held every four years.

“The World Cup is a premier event which engages and touches people from around the world.  ISC’s mission is to support international students and scholars at UCF and celebrating these types of events helps to engage our students with each other and the larger UCF community,” said Mark Hartman, the center’s associate director.

Attendees are encouraged to show team spirit, and flags, team jerseys, hair dye and face paint are all welcome.

For a schedule of the games and more information about the International Services Center, visit its .

The Knights compiled a 3.17 grade-point average for the spring term, the highest student-athlete GPA for a single semester in school history. In addition, UCF student-athletes compiled an average GPA of 3.14 for the 2012-13 academic year, which was also the best mark for the Knights.

“I’m extremely proud of the semester we have had academically and we continue to be strong in this area,” said Kimya Massey, UCF’s Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services and Director of Academic Services for Student-Athletes. “We knew it would be a good term overall, but to break records and continue to push the standard even higher is a credit to our student-athletes and their desire to be excellent in whatever they do. I must also complement the ASSA staff for their constant support and willingness to help our student-athletes achieve their goals.”

UCF student-athletes have now recorded an average GPA of 3.0 or better for 11 consecutive semesters. Twelve of the Knights’ 16 sports programs were at or above a 3.0 for the spring term. Individually, 227 Knights student-athletes recorded a spring term GPA of 3.0 or better. Of that number, 27 earned a perfect 4.0 and 61 were at 3.75 or above.

Knight student-athletes said the UCF academic support personnel and their coaches impress upon them the importance of academics.

“Each member of the Academic Services staff does their best to put the student-athlete first,” women’s tennis player Jenna Doerfler said. “I have had nothing but extremely positive experiences with anyone I have worked with on the staff. The staff has always gone out of their way to help the student-athletes who come to them. My coaches have always made the importance of academics clear to us. We have team academic goals at the beginning of each semester. The coaches and staff do a great job working together with us to make sure we’re on track.”

“I believe our fall GPA motivated us and our academic advisor Sarah Hill pushed us all to do even better,” said women’s basketball player Erika Jones. “Our coaches asked about our schoolwork as often as they could, so that was helpful and greatly appreciated.”

Seven of UCF’s athletic teams set program records for spring term GPAs. Football (2.95), men’s basketball (2.85), women’s basketball (3.14), men’s golf (3.43), men’s soccer (3.29), softball (3.42) and track and field (3.31) all recorded the best spring term GPA in their teams’ histories.

Men’s golf led all teams in the spring with a 3.43 GPA, while the top women’s team was softball at 3.42. The UCF volleyball program continued its department-best streak of semesters at 3.0 or above, achieving that mark for the 12th straight term. Men’s basketball and football added to the records, compiling the best academic year GPAs ever for the two programs.

The three-week training camp will culminate with an international friendly against Canada at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston on Jan. 29.

Johnson played for the Knights from 2008-09 and was selected by Chicago in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.

Johnson made his international debut Jan. 22, 2011, against Chile at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Johnson has been capped twice for the United States, earning his second cap Jan. 25, 2012, against Panama at Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City. Johnson played the second half and preserved the shutout in a 1-0 victory.

He recently returned from England, where he honed his skills with training stints with English Premier League sides Stoke City and Everton F.C.

In 2012, Johnson appeared in a career-high 31 regular season games for the Fire, accumulating a 16-10-5 record, including five shutouts. Johnson’s 1.24 goals against average was the lowest in his three years as a professional. Johnson made 108 saves in 2012, including a career-high 10 saves against the San Jose Earthquakes July 28

UCF (17-4-2) advanced to the second round for the sixth-consecutive year and will face Florida in Gainesville on Friday at a yet-to-be-announced time.

Late heroics by defender Ashley Nicol, who scored her sixth goal of the season off a diving header with less than six minutes in regulation, sent the match to overtime. UCF topped Miami in overtime earlier this season, but neither team budged an inch Saturday through 20 minutes of extra play, forcing a shootout.

Freshman Allie Gerry put the game away with UCF’s last penalty kick as fans erupted on the sideline and her teammates piled around her in euphoria.

“I was very impressed with the PKs. They all tucked in nicely,” UCF head coach Amanda Cromwell said. “To battle like we did, that game was tough in a lot of ways. Miami is a very athletic team with a very long throw-in that causes a lot of problems.”

Although Nicolette Radovcic nearly put UCF on the scoreboard in the first five minutes with a 1v1 opportunity with UM’s keeper, Miami would end up striking first.

The Hurricanes snapped the Knights’ seven-match shutout streak when Shannon McCarthy’s long throw in found Kate Howarth inside the box. She headed it on to Ally Andreini on the far post, and Andreini headed it in for a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute.

The Knights got a jolt of life with their first corner kick in the 32nd minute as Andrea Rodrigues sent a short pass to Radovcic, whose cross connected with defender Marissa Diggs on the far post, but her header was saved.

Goalkeeper Lianne Maldonado came up with two huge saves off attempts by Howarth in the 74th minute, allowing the Knights to stay on the Canes’ heels.

“Lianne is the reason we were still in the game, 1-0, so I can’t say enough about her play tonight,” Cromwell said.

UCF couldn’t capitalize on several scoring opportunities in the second half until midfielder Madison Barney forwarded a ball to the far post, where Nicol sent a diving header past the keeper to tie the game 1-1 in the 84th minute.

“During warmup, I kept hitting my headers high. Coach said you have to hit them low,” Nicol said. “So right when Madi headed it, I envisioned diving for it.”

Radovcic had two good looks at goal during the first overtime period, but neither found the back of the net, and the teams lined up at midfield to settle the game in a shootout.

Tishia Jewell, Jennifer Martin, Nicol and Radovcic all finished their attempts with finesse to take a 4-3 advantage when Miami’s Andreini stepped up for her attempt. Her shot hit the crossbar, and Gerry came out on top to end the game and keep UCF’s postseason alive.

Diggs was joined by senior forward Nicolette Radovcic on the first team while senior forward Tishia Jewell and sophomore midfielder Madison Barney earned praise on the second team. Junior goalkeeper Lianne Maldonado was distinguished on the third team, and newcomer Sophie Howard earned a spot on the freshman team.

UCF’s seven honors were a league high along with regular-season co-champions Colorado College and Rice.

As a starting centerback for the Knights, Diggs anchored a defensive line that currently ranks sixth in the country for shutout percentage (.632) and eighth for goals-against average (.561). UCF has blanked 12 opponents – eight in conference play – for its best shutout total since 2004. The Knights head into the C-USA Tournament on Wednesday one shutout shy of matching the school record currently held by the 1986 squad. This is Diggs’ second-consecutive appointment to the first team.

“Marissa is a tremendous 1v1 defender,” UCF head coach Amanda Cromwell said. “She’s so hard to beat because she’s fast but she’s also very physical. Not only does she win the ball, but she wins the ball and possesses it so she can start our attack for us.”

Radovcic, a team captain, earned her first all-conference team distinction since she was named to the All-Freshman Team in 2009. With 11 goals so far this year, she has emerged as the Knights’ top-goal scorer for the second-consecutive season to rank second in the league and 38th in the nation. She ranks 35th in the country for game-winning goals as her four against No. 12 Miami, Dartmouth, North Florida and Tulsa have tallied her career total to nine, which ranks seventh all-time at UCF. She leads an offensive attack that ranks first in the conference for points (141), goals (47) and assists (47).

UCF’s Senior CLASS Award finalist, Jewell, picked up the third all-conference honor of her career. She currently tops the league and sits 18th in the nation for assists (9) and also ranks fourth in C-USA for game-winning goals (3). With 34 career assists, she is one away from matching UCF’s all-time record leader. She ranks second for the Knights in total points (21) and has been named the C-USA Offensive Player of the Week twice this season.

“Tish is coming on really strong as of late. She’s a really good creator and playmaker, and Nic has been consistent throughout the year leading us in goal scoring,” Cromwell said.

As a starting defensive midfielder for the Knights, Barney earned the first all-conference award of her career Tuesday. She has been a reliable asset for the team this year and shined in the UCF Tournament as the Defensive MVP after assisting the game-winning goal against Dartmouth, which garnered her the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week award. She added two more assists during conference play against Houston and Southern Miss.

Coming into the season, Maldonado had the task of replacing All-American goalkeeper Aline Reis between the posts. She has started every match in 2012 and has organized a defense that sits atop the league for goals allowed (11), goals-against average and shutouts. Her .63 goals-against average ranks third in C-USA, 23rd in the country and is currently on pace to rank among UCF’s top-10 single-season leaders.

“Madi is just a solid player in every category – possession, ball-winning, heading. She’s very consistent and the other teams noticed the hard work she puts in,” Cromwell said. “It was great that Lianne was recognized because we don’t give up a lot of shots on goal or corners, so sometimes our goalkeepers don’t have a whole lot to do. But when she did, she came up big, and other teams notice she’s a very quality keeper.”

Rounding up the league honors is Howard, who joined the team just before conference play after representing Germany in the U-20 FIFA World Cup in Japan. The midfielder worked her way into starting lineup in her second appearance and has started ever since. She boasts the most points (8) by a freshman on the team with two assists and three goals, which includes the goal versus East Carolina that capped the sixth-fastest scoring sequence (1:37) of three-consecutive goals in NCAA history.

“Sophie could have easily been on an all-conference team, not just the freshman team,” Cromwell said. “She has come in and scored important goals at the right time.”

This group along with the rest of the Knights will travel to El Paso, Texas, for their first-round matchup against sixth-seeded and defending champion Memphis at 9 p.m. ET. UCF hopes to close its final chapter in C-USA by claiming its first tournament title.

The Knights have been seeded third once before, in the 2008 tournament when they advanced to the semifinals. UCF has advanced to the title game three times (2007, 2009 and 2010) and has faced Memphis in each of those matches.

“The training has been good and the energy is high. I can tell we are ready,” Cromwell said. “It’s tournament time and we are geared up for that. We like how the bracket has panned out. We always want to play a team that beat us during the year.”