The No. 15 UCF women’s soccer team ended their non-conference schedule in a scoreless draw against Florida Gulf Coast University on Sunday afternoon at the UCF soccer complex.
The Knights (5-1-2) did extend their unbeaten streak to six matches with the tie. They outshot FGCU 15-5, and had a couple of scoring opportunities off corner kicks, but couldn’t convert. Junior forward Tishia Jewell (Satellite Beach, Fla) scored what looked to be a goal 71 minutes into the match, but was called offsides. Jewell recorded a game- high four shots, playing a total of 104 minutes.
It wasn’t the result that the team was looking for heading into conference play.
“Obviously, we are frustrated with the result,” UCF head coach Amanda Cromwell said after the game.
“Fifteen shots is usually good enough for one goal, so we felt like we should have scored at least one goal…It feels more like a loss for us today, and it feels like a win to them, but that is how it is when you are ranked and teams are gunning for you.”
FGCU (5-3-1) came into the game on a full week’s rest, while UCF had only one day to rest after their game on Friday night.
Jewell downplayed the issue of rest, but sees room for improvement.
“I think that we did not play as well as we should have,” said Jewell. “I think we came off a big weekend last weekend, and that we just didn’t follow through up to this weekend.”
Last weekend, the Knights got two victories in the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic.
Coach Cromwell and players know that they will have to tie up the loose ends before conference play starts this week if they want to become Conference-USA champs.
“This is going to be similar to a lot of the conference games, and we have to figure out how to put it into the back of the net,” said Cromwell. “We need to play-make better and have a better final pass. We have to get players to see the field better and read off the ball. Their vision overall is just not sharp enough right now.”
“We have to work on focusing for the entire game, and work on our finishing,” said Jewell. “And just tone everything up.”
On Friday night at UCF, the Knights defeated Jacksonville University 2-1 behind goals from freshman Jennifer Martin (Plantation, Fla) and sophomore Kristina Trujic. The Knights dominated possession for the whole game, and out-shot Jacksonville 24-7.
Martin’s first goal of her college career put the Knights up 1-0 in the 31st minute. Trujic’s goal came off an assist from Jewell with two minutes remaining in the match to secure the victory for the Knights.
Looking forward, the Knights will start league play against SMU on Friday night in Dallas, and then follow up on Sunday afternoon at Tulsa.
