Here is the second edition of This Week In UCF Sports, which will in the beginning of every week and recap what happened the previous week regarding Knights athletics.
Following the successful first wrap up article here’s to another thrilling week in UCF sports. From a gigantic win in men’s soccer to the critical bye week in football, UCF saw yet another enthralling series of games and storylines play out.
Football
Maybe the biggest news this week did not happen on the field as rumors and accusations swirled around the story involving USF barring UCF from being a potential suitor to the Big East. Former UCF student body president and current Florida Sen. Lee Constantine accused USF President Judy Genshaft of blocking our possible admittance and called upon other Florida politicians to intervene.
As conference realignment rumors continue to swirl, talks between the Mountain West and Conference USA have picked up slightly with a potential 24-team merger being a talked about possibility.
Saturday, the Knights look to start their defense of the C-USA crown when they take on Marshall whose surprising upset of conference foe Southern Miss. and the Big East’s Louisville will ensure this rivalry game will be a tough first test to start the season. The Knights are coming off two disappointing road losses at FIU and BYU.
Men’s Soccer
On a more positive note, men’s soccer opened up conference play with a win against No. 21 Kentucky, promoting confidence in a bounce-back win after a tough loss to Florida Gulf Coast ending the historic win streak for the Knights.
The Knights, who are ranked No. 10 in the country, boast sophomore McKauly Tulloch who was named the College Soccer News National Player of the Week and C-USA Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season.
Saturday, the Knights are at it again when they face the South Carolina Gamecocks at home.
Women’s Soccer
Sunday, women’s soccer tied with Colorado College 1-1 after freshmen Emily Grider’s first career goal. The Knights will be playing back-to-back road games at Marshall on Oct. 7 and ECU Oct. 9. The Knights are ranked No. 25 in the country this week.
Volleyball
An unfortunate loss at lowly Marshall dropped the Knights to 11-5 on the season, and 3-2 in conference play. After splitting the week with a win against ECU and a bad 3-0 loss to Marshall, the Knights look to bounce back on Friday and Sunday with sets against UAB.
Men’s Tennis
Monday, junior Juan Bolona and sophomore Mitch Thams claimed the main draw doubles title at the inaugural State of Florida Championships at the USF Tennis Courts featuring some big Florida programs such as Miami and FSU.
This was the second tennis event of the season for the Knights, who will see action again Oct. 7 in the C.L. Varner Memorial Invitational in Winter Park.
Women’s Tennis
On a final note, the women’s tennis team wrapped up the annual quad tournament on Sunday at the UCF Tennis Complex. The Knights looked good walking away from the final day winning five of six singles matches and a doubles win over rival USF. The next event for UCF is the ITA All-American Prequalifying in LA which starts Saturday.
Men’s Golf
Ranked No. 6 in both the Golfstat NCAA Head-to-Head Standings and Golfweek/Sagarin rankings. They have set their lineup for The Prestige at PGA West, which starts Saturday in California.
Women’s Golf
The women’s golf team finished second over the weekend at the University Club of Kentucky, in which they finished second only behind host school Kentucky. This is their highest finish since winning the Hurricane Invitational last February.
The Knights will head to French Lick, Indiana for the Lady Northern Invitational for their next contest.
Questions? E-mail athletics@knightnews.com
