Photo Courtesy of UCF Athletics

The Knights are set to kick off their season against Florida

The UCF women’s soccer team is gearing up for another competitive season in the Big 12 this fall.

The Knights are coming off a 12-4-5 season that included the program’s 23rd appearance in the NCAA Tournament, where they claimed a 2-0 victory over the Maine Black Bears in the first round.

UCF women’s soccer head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak, heading into her 14th season, said the expectations for this team are just as high, but the ceiling is what they make it.

“I think we have to earn it before we can say who we are,” Sahaydak said at a Tuesday media day press conference. “That’s something we’re earning every day in training.”

With that in mind, her expectations to make the postseason remain prominent, with her eyes set on the Big 12 Tournament.

“My expectation is that we go to the postseason,” Sahaydak said. “We’re in the top half of the Big 12, and we make the Big 12 Tournament, and obviously we want to win it.”

The Knights will need to do this without two key contributors to last season’s success in Liz Worden and Rajanah Reed as they both departed to seek professional opportunities. Worden and Reed made up 50% of UCF’s goal production last season.

However, the program did retain redshirt sophomore Gabi Berchon who scored three goals a season ago. Additionally, they also added senior transfer Naomi Clark who scored eight goals last season with Oklahoma.

However, before the team can think too far ahead, the team has one thing on their plate, an opening match against the Florida Gators.

Clark said that she looks at the matchup as a little more personal since she missed last year’s Oklahoma and Florida matchup due to a concussion.

“I know the team has some feelings with it being an in-state rivalry, but I also have my personal revenge,” Clark said at media day. “I’m excited, and I’m ready for it.”

Clark joins the team along with nine other newcomers, including six transfers and three freshmen.

The Knights were also able to retain five starters from last year’s roster as well as 13 returning letterwinners.

Redshirt senior forward Payton Patrick, who missed the 2025 season due to injury, is excited to work alongside Clark and said her dynamic playstyle pairs well with her running ability.

“We talk during and after training, giving each other feedback, ‘I like this ball, I don’t like that ball’,” Patrick said on media day. “It was nice to have her in the spring to get comfortable. She is going to be great for us this fall.”

As the season is about to kick off, Sahaydak said she is excited to compete in the Big 12 as she finds the competition fun. However, she also mentioned that talking about those matchups needs to be held off as she looks ahead to the out-of-conference slate.

The last time the Knights faced off against the Gators was in Gainesville, a defensive power clash that came down to a strike in the 86th minute, sealing a 1-0 victory for the Knights.

UCF will now host the Gators in their season opener at 7 p.m. on August 13 at the UCF Soccer Complex, hoping to repeat the outcome.