Knight Cap: Soccer Unbeaten Streaks Continue

SB Nation

Over the past week, the UCF Knights sports world saw two teams extend unbeaten streaks, one of which likely clinched a postseason berth, and two other teams wrap up their fall slates.

We also have our Knight

of the Week and Play of the Week in this Tuesday, Oct. 28 edition of Knight Cap.

Women’s Soccer Cements Big 12 Tournament Berth

The UCF Women’s Soccer team clinched its spot in the Big 12 Tournament, and quite likely the NCAA Tournament as well, this week with wins over #16 Baylor, 2-1, on Thursday and BYU, 2-1, on Sunday.

Our own Steven Brown reported on the Senior Knight matchup against Baylor here.

As for Sunday, forward Liz Worden earned a brace by scoring both of the Knights’ goals in their win against the Cougars on Sunday. They were her sixth and seventh goals of the season, putting her back in the team lead.

Fellow forward Rajanah Reed and midfielder Honoka Hamano provided assists on both goals.

UCF was very efficient offensively, needing just five shots total to get both of its goals. BYU, on the other hand, was quite aggressive on the attack with 20 total shots, with eight of them being on goal. Knights goalkeeper Genesis Perez Watson picked up seven more saves, which puts her at 61 saves for the season, the fifth-most in the Big 12, and an .836 save percentage, the third highest in the Big 12.

The Knights hit the road for their regular-season finale on Thursday at 8 p.m., where they will get a test from #15 Texas Tech.

Men’s Soccer Extends Unbeaten Streak To Six Matches

The UCF Men’s Soccer team went unbeaten this week after beating James Madison, 3-2, on Wednesday and a 1-1 draw against Georgia State on Sunday.

The Knights donned their space uniforms in their victory on Wednesday against the Dukes. Forward Lilian Ricol scored a hat trick to lead UCF’s offense past James Madison. Ricol’s first career hat trick earned the Knights their third conference win of the season.

UCF outshot James Madison 21 to eight, with nine of the Knights’ shots on goal. This was the second time this season UCF produced at least 20 shots on goal, the last happening against Bradley on Senior Knight.

UCF then traveled to take on the Georgia State Panthers in a matchup that ended in a 1-1 draw on Sunday. After a quiet first half, the Panthers got the scoring started with a goal in the 68th minute. Ricol quickly answered and scored the Knights’ only goal in the 71st minute for his ninth of the season.

Forward Clarence Awoudor set up Ricol’s goal for his 13th assist of the season, which leads the team.

The Knights will face Coastal Carolina on Halloween next Friday in the second-to-last game of the regular season.

Volleyball Splits Week Against Houston and Texas Tech

The UCF volleyball team defeated the Houston Cougars in five sets (25-23, 21-25, 20-25, 25-17, 17-15) on Wednesday night to earn its third conference victory.

The first set was a hard-fought battle, featuring 13 ties and eight lead changes. With the score even at 23-23, a Houston attack error set up outside hitter Skylar English for the set-winning kill.

After dropping the next two sets, UCF bounced back in the fourth, jumping out to a 13-5 lead and holding on for the win to even the match.

Both teams traded runs in the decisive fifth set before the Knights pulled ahead late. Outside hitters Avah Armour and Reaghan Thompson led the final push, with a block securing the victory.

Armour powered the Knights’ offense, delivering 28 kills, the second-highest total of her collegiate career. She also added 17 digs and four aces on the night. As a defensive unit, UCF totaled 16 team blocks and 57 digs.

UCF was edged out by Texas Tech in four sets (25-17, 21-25, 18-25, 23-25) on Saturday afternoon, handing the Red Raiders their first Big 12 win after starting 0-8 in conference play.

The Knights started strong in the first set, building a 13-5 lead over the Red Raiders, with middle blockers Ella Chapman and Sasha Cohen each contributing two kills.

Unable to maintain their momentum, UCF dropped the second set to Texas Tech despite outpacing them in kills, 12-10. Four of the kills came from freshman Nygeria Hart, who set a career high with five off the bench.

The Knights were unable to hold onto the lead in the third and fourth sets, which featured nine ties and four lead changes. The night ended with a decisive 5-0 run by Texas Tech.

Armour recorded 27 kills, bringing her total over the past two matches to an impressive 55. On defense, libero Alexa Haley led UCF with 15 digs, marking her third consecutive match with at least 10.

UCF returns to action Wednesday night to face #19 BYU in Provo, Utah, at 9:00 p.m.

Women’s Golf Wraps Fall With Runner-Up Finish

The UCF Women’s Golf team capped its fall slate over the weekend with a runner-up finish at the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, North Carolina.

The #20-ranked Knights shot 862 (2-under) as a team over three rounds, and while they came five strokes short of the champions, #24 North Carolina, they were the only two teams to finish under par. Teams that they beat out include #5 Wake Forest (3-over), #16 South Carolina (8-over), #14 Duke (9-over), #28 Kentucky (15-over), and #18 Kent State (26-over).

UCF was led individually by the dynamic duo of senior Pimpisa “Sandwich” Sisutham (ranked #120 in the nation) and sophomore Mila Jurine (ranked #112 in the nation), both finishing in a tie for third at 211 (5-under). Junior Molly Smith (ranked #86 in the nation) also earned a Top 30 finish, coming in a tie for 18th at 218 (2-over).

For the full results from the Landfall Tradition, click here.

The next time the Knights tee off, it will be in 2026, as they host the PDI Intercollegiate at Eagle Creek Country Club from Jan. 25-27.

Men’s Golf Final Fall Tournament Cut Short By Weather

The #128 UCF Men’s Golf team saw the FAU Invitational and its fall slate, cut short this week due to inclement weather. Thanks to Monday afternoon showers, the tournament ended up being just two rounds over three days.

The Knights finished in a tie for 12th in the 16-team field with two other teams at 586 (10-over). They were led by junior Hans Risvaer, who finished in a tie for 19th at 143 (1-under).

Despite playing as an individual, with his score not counting towards the team total, sophomore Camden Goldknopf was not far behind Risvaer, tying for 25th overall at 144 (even par).

Click here for UCF’s full results from the FAU Invitational.

The Knights tee off their spring slate at the Sea Best Invitational in Atlantic Beach on Feb. 2-3.

Knight of the Week

RJ Harvey, Football (Alum)

The former UCF running back broke out on Sunday with the Denver Broncos, scoring three touchdowns, two rushing and one receiving, against the Dallas Cowboys.