Knights start conference play strong in draw with Red Raiders

Photo courtesy of Aryah Britt

No. 25-ranked UCF women’s soccer fought hard in a Top-25 matchup against No. 19-ranked Texas Tech on Thursday, drawing 2-2 in the contest on a wet UCF Soccer Complex pitch.

The Knights (5-1-1, 0-0-1 Big 12) came into the match up well rested after a full week since their last match against the North Florida Ospreys.

The Knights saw pressure early from the Red Raiders’ (4-0-4, 0-0-1 Big 12) offense as they faced eight shots in the first half, with four on goal.

A diving save by junior goalkeeper Kaina Cesar in the 14th minute kept the score even and fueled the Knights momentum.

However, with one defender out of the way, Texas Tech forward Taylor Zdorjewski found the bottom right side of the net at the 16th minute, bringing the score to 0-1.

The Knights offense slowly began to find their drive, however, missed passes and a tight Red Raider backline snuffed out any shooting opportunities.

With the attack looking for answers, senior forward Naomi Clark secured her seventh goal of the season in the 40th minute, assisted by redshirt sophomore midfielder Gabi Berchon and junior forward Alysiah Lockette.

After a tough final five minutes of the half for both sides, the Knights went into the half tied 1-1.

The Knights recorded two shots in the half with one on goal. Cesar ended the half with three saves.

Coming out of the gate after the half, the Red Raiders brought the same pressure they opened the match with.

The pressure from the Red Raiders prevailed in the 58th minute as a critical drop by Cesar in front of goal lands right at the feet of Texas Tech midfielder Raleigh Greason who brought Texas Tech to a 2-1 lead.

The Knights’ chances were nearly put to rest after another deflection by Cesar in the 68th minute. However, a crucial block kept the Knights’ chances alive.

With the Knights continuing to fight, articulate passing just outside the box led to another equalizer in the 71st minute. This time, by junior midfielder Katsi Bengoa, due to a pass right on the mark by junior midfielder Ainsley Moy.

Bengoa’s equalizer marked her first career goal and Moy’s assist marked her fifth of the season, leading the Knights.

Moy spoke on what it was like seeing Bengoa score her first career goal, highlighting the connection the two have built between one another.

“It’s amazing, I think me and Katsi have such a great connection,” Moy said. “Every time we play in practice together, we’re always looking for each other. It’s awesome to set her up for an opportunity because she deserves it.”

Texas Tech continued to apply pressure on the Knights’ defense, but strong box play prevented a game winner.

The horn blew and the game ended 2-2 as the Knights survived in a tough, competitive match.

While it wasn’t a victory, head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak told reporters she is completely okay with the fight her team displayed.

“When you go down by two goals and your team bounces back and can equalize it two times, that’s a really hard thing to do against No. 19 in the country,” Sahaydak said. “Yeah, I would have loved three points, but I also would have hated zero points.”

The Knights recorded four shots in the match including the two on goal. Texas Tech, on the other hand, tallied 19 shots with eight on goal.

Cesar ended her night with six saves for the Knights.

Sahaydak said a performance like that confirms what the team already feels within the lock room after fighting back from behind once again.

“There’s a strong belief in this team; they believe a lot in each other that they’re capable of doing things” Sahaydak said. “There’s a great togetherness and they take care of each other.”

The Knights now hit the road to Provo, Utah as they look to build off their conference opening performance in another tough matchup against the No. 23-ranked BYU Cougars on Sept. 24, at 9 p.m.