The University of Arizona women’s soccer team (5-4, 0-1 in Big 12) will compete against the University of Central Florida on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. at Murphey Field at Mulcahy Soccer Stadium for the Wildcats’ second Big 12 matchup of the season. Coming off of a tight loss against Iowa State University, the Wildcats will look to secure their first conference win on their home field.
History vs. UCF
The programs hold a perfectly even record against one another, going 1-1-1. Their first matchup dates back to 2010, where the teams earned a 1-1 tie. In 2017, UCF pulled into the lead with a 2-1 victory over Arizona. However, in 2024, the Wildcats recovered with a 3-2 win. The last two matchups between the teams have been at neutral sites, meaning Mulcahy will host Arizona’s first home-field advantage matchup against the Knights.
Knights to watch
UCF has been led by Olympian Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak since 2013, when she was first named head coach of the program. Roberts Sahaydak has an impressive history in the sport, as she is a former World Cup Champion, earned an Olympic gold medal and is a two-time NCAA champion. Her deep rooted experience has carried into her coaching career with the Knights over the past decade.
Senior forward Liz Worden currently serves as a leader for UCF with 2 goals and four assists this season. She is one of just three players for the Knights to have started every single game so far, earning 26 shots, 10 of them on goal and a 38.5% in shooting on target. This is Worden’s third collegiate team, her first 2 years being at the University of Texas then heading to Long Beach State University for her junior season.
Another prominent figure on the Knights roster is Rajanah Reed, a senior forward as well. Originally from Glendale, Reed found her way to Washington State University for two seasons as a sophomore and junior. Now, for UCF, she has the most goals on the team with 3 for the season. She’s paired that with 27 shots, 14 on goal, another leading number for the Knights.
Wildcats to watch
Becca Moros continues to lead the Wildcats in their 10th game of the season and her fourth year overall with the program. From Manhattan, New York, Moros did her education at Duke University while playing on their women’s soccer team all four years as a midfielder. This fed into her professional career in the NWSL which spanned across several teams like the Portland Thorns and Kansas City.
One of Arizona’s most consistent players this season has been Marissa Arnst, a senior outside defender. Arnst has shown her capabilities of becoming a dangerous threat in the attack while maintaining a solid position in the backline. She had eight shots this season, five of them on frame and started eight of nine games for the Wildcats. A leader for the team, Arnst continues to make crucial plays both offensively and defensively for Arizona.
At the top of the leaderboard remains Aurora Gaines, a sophomore forward. With 3 goals and three assists, Gaines has 9 points for the season. Out of her 14 shots this season, eight of them were on target earning her a 57.1 shooting percentage on goal. Gaines has stepped up this season as she continues to ride the top of the stat line for the Wildcats.
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