The No. 25 University of Central Florida women’s soccer team will open Big 12 Conference play against No. 19 Texas Tech at 7 p.m. Thursday at the UCF Soccer Complex in Orlando.
The match will stream on ESPN+. It will be the first of UCF’s 11 scheduled Big 12 matches and the first ranked-versus-ranked meeting for the Knights since their 2022 NCAA Tournament match against UCLA.
UCF enters conference play at 5-1-0
UCF enters the matchup with a 5-1-0 record after a 1-0 win over North Florida in its nonconference finale. Redshirt senior striker Payton Patrick scored in the 34th minute, and UCF finished with a 24-7 advantage in shots and an 8-2 edge in shots on target.
Goalkeeper Kaina Cesar recorded a shutout in her first game back from injury since the season opener. She made two saves against North Florida and is 2-0-0 this season. The victory also completed UCF’s 3-0-0 record against Sunshine State opponents, with wins over Florida, South Florida and North Florida.
UCF reentered the IWSOC/United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll at No. 25 during the week of Sept. 14. The Knights are 2-6-1 in ranked-versus-ranked matches during head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak’s tenure.
Naomi Clark leads UCF attack
Senior forward Naomi Clark leads UCF with six goals and 14 points. Her goal total is tied for the Big 12 lead, while her points rank third in the conference. Junior midfielder Ainsley Moy leads the team with four assists.
Clark was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 2 after recording a hat trick against UAB. She also received honorable mention recognition on the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week.
Texas Tech arrives unbeaten
No. 19 Texas Tech enters with a 4-0-3 record and is ranked No. 19 in the Top Drawer Soccer poll while receiving votes in the IWSOC/United Soccer Coaches Poll. The Red Raiders have won their last two matches against San Diego State and Kent State.
Taylor Zdrojewski leads Texas Tech with four goals and nine points. Goalkeeper Addie Todd has 26 saves and an .897 save percentage through seven matches. Texas Tech is coached by Tom Stone.
UCF holds a 1-0-2 all-time series advantage over Texas Tech. The teams played to a scoreless draw in Lubbock in 2025 and a 1-1 draw in Orlando in 2023, while UCF’s lone win in the series came at home in 1996.
Conference opener provides additional context
UCF is 8-2-3 in conference openers under Roberts Sahaydak and 9-3-1 in home conference openers. The Knights are 2-0-1 in home Big 12 Conference openers.
Roberts Sahaydak has rejoined the U.S. Women’s National Team as an assistant coach on Emma Hayes’ staff and is scheduled to represent the team at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Freshman midfielder Daniela Ocampo is scheduled to represent Costa Rica at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, which runs from Sept. 5-27.
After Thursday’s match, UCF is scheduled to visit No. 23 BYU on Sept. 24 and Utah on Sept. 27. The Knights will then return to the UCF Soccer Complex to host No. 15/9 Colorado on Oct. 2.
Source: Original report