Women's Soccer Falls 3-1 at No. 6 UCF

Friday, September 14

Orlando, FL

5 p.m.

University of North Florida

2-6-1

UCF

6-1-1

Team	1	2	Final F
North Florida	0	1	1
UCF	1	2	3

Photo by: Todd Drexler

9/14/2012 6:54:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: UNF Athletics

Box Score (PDF)

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Junior Lauren Hopfensperger notched her first goal of the season to no avail, as the University of North Florida women's soccer team fell to sixth-ranked UCF, 3-1, at UCF Soccer Complex on Friday evening.

Much of the early play consisted of both sides cautiously pushing forward. Forward Carolina Lencina had the best UNF opportunity of the early going as part of a counterattack in the 12th minute. The junior collected a pass from fellow junior forward Lauren Hopfensperger, took a pair of touches and fired a 25-yard blast that missed the left post by mere feet.

“I'm very proud of our effort tonight, right from the onset,” Head Coach Linda Hamilton said. “I think our girls came out to play from the very beginning against a very good opponent. We played very well tonight, I thought.”

The Knights put UNF in a hole late in the first half, as Bianca Joswiak fired a 20-yard shot from the left side that snuck just inside the far post in the 33rd minute to give UCF a 1-0 lead. The goal constituted the first shot on goal conceded by the Osprey defense on the day.

While the Knights controlled the midfield for much of the first half, the Ospreys appeared to gain some footing in the final 10 minutes. UNF took four shots in that time, including a pair from senior forward Michele Larrinaga. At the halftime whistle, the Knights held just an 8-7 advantage over UNF in shots, while the Ospreys had notched a pair of shots on goal to UCF's three.

For much of the second half, both squads split possession in the midfield fairly evenly, though the Knights seemed to have a few more offensive opportunities than UNF.

Despite that, Hopfensperger grabbed the equalizer for the Ospreys in the 68th minute, taking advantage of a UCF defensive miscue. After UCF goalkeeper Connie Organ sent a misguided pass forward, the junior forward jumped on the ball and delicately chipped a beautiful 15-yard shot over Organ's fingertips and just below the crossbar to knot the score at 1-1 with her first goal of the 2012 season.

The Knights quickly jumped back ahead, as Nicolette Radovcic knocked in goal in transition less than a minute later, knocking in a pass from Taylor Townsend to put UCF back on top, 2-1.

Townsend found the back of the net herself in relatively short order, finishing a low cross from Radovcic to double the margin and put the Ospreys in a 3-1 hole in the 73rd minute.

That scoreline held and, when the final horn sounded, UCF held a 23-8 advantage in shots, including a 12-3 lead in shots on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Beninati tallied a career-best nine saves in the loss, while two UCF goalkeepers combined for a pair of saves.

“It's a tough loss, but I have a lot of respect for UCF and the program they've put together,” Hamilton said. “Now we have to get geared up and be ready to compete in conference play.”

With the loss, the Ospreys fall to 2-6-1. UCF improves to 6-1-1.

The Ospreys will next be in action when they travel to Lipscomb on Sept. 21 to open up their Atlantic Sun Conference play. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. EST.