Payton Patrick scored the game-winning goal in the 34th minute as the UCF women’s soccer team defeated North Florida 1-0 on Sept. 10 at the UCF Soccer Complex in Orlando.
The victory closed UCF’s non-conference schedule and improved the team to 5-1-0. North Florida dropped to 2-2-3, while Patrick scored her second goal of the season.
Patrick finished a chance that followed a corner kick from captain Maria Tregansin. Kalena Bellini played the ball into the box, where it deflected off Ainsley Moy and fell to Patrick for the finish.
UCF controlled the match throughout the opening half, taking an 11-0 advantage in shots and a 5-0 lead in shots on goal. The UCF women’s soccer team finished with a 24-7 edge in shots and an 8-2 advantage in shots on target, while Gabi Berchon and Naomi Clark recorded five shots each and Patrick had four.
UCF continued to create chances after halftime. Berchon hit the crossbar with a shot in the 62nd minute, Clark hit the near post in the 75th minute and North Florida goalkeeper Sofia Miliancano saved a shot by Patrick in the 76th minute.
Goalkeeper Kaïna Cesar earned her first shutout in a UCF uniform and improved to 2-0-0 on the season. Cesar saved both of North Florida’s shots on target, and UCF improved to 3-0-0 against Sunshine State opponents.
“It was really important for our team to respond after the Brown game. We wanted to get back to the details and be true to who we are,” said UCF head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak. “We didn’t score as many goals as we would have liked tonight, but I’ll celebrate a shutout. UNF is a good team, and they make things very difficult defensively. Overall, I’m glad we were able to get one in, and I’m happy with our performance.”
UCF opens Big 12 play against Texas Tech
UCF will open Big 12 Conference play by hosting No. 22 Texas Tech on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. The team will then face No. 13 BYU on Sept. 24 and Utah on Sept. 27.
Source: Original report