UCF Knights women's soccer

The UCF Knights women's soccer program represents the University of Central Florida in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I. The Knights compete in the Big 12 Conference.^[2] UCF plays home games on its main campus in Orlando, Florida at the UCF Soccer and Track Stadium.^[3] The Knights are led by head coach and Olympic gold medalist Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak.^[4]

UCF has a storied history in women's soccer that includes 23 Conference Tournament or Regular Season Championships. The Knights have earned 24 AIAW and NCAA Tournament Appearances (2nd most in the state of Florida), which include 5 Elite Eight appearances, 2 Final Four appearances, an AIAW National Championship Game appearance (1981), and an NCAA National Championship Game appearance (1982). Twenty-three UCF players have earned various All-American honors, including three players who were honored as Consensus All-Americans (Mary Varas, Michelle Akers x4, Karen Ricther). Akers was also awarded the Hermann Trophy, and four other Knights players have been finalists or on the watch list for the award. Nine former UCF players have been selected for their respective countries' national teams, including four players selected to the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team. Two former UCF Players have won the FIFA Women's World Cup, and seven former Knights have appeared in FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments. Two former Knights have also played in the Olympics, with Michelle Akers winning Olympic Gold with the U.S. team in 1996. Twenty former UCF players have also played for various professional soccer teams around the world, including ten NWSL players.

The UCF Knights Women's Soccer team first took the field in 1981 as an Independent, under the leadership of Jim Rudy. A Rollins College Men's Soccer alumnus, Rudy was the Coach of both the men's and women's side at UCF. He was known for his technical acumen as a coach, and his tactical wizardry in game planning. He was also one of the best coaches of goalkeepers at that time, with three of goalkeepers he coached going on to start for the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team. (Kim Wyant and Amy Allman at UCF; Briana Scurry at UMASS).

During his seven years as Coach, Rudy led UCF to five post-season appearances. This included two appearances in the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament. In their first season of play, the Knights played in the AIAW Tournament (the women's national championship tournament before the NCAA recognized women's sports). UCF defeated Harvard in the Quarterfinal 2–0, then topped the University of Missouri-St. Louis in the Seminfinal 4–0, earning a berth in the AIAW Championship Game. In the final, UCF was defeated by the North Carolina Tar Heels 1–0.^[5]

In the 1982 NCAA Tournament, the Knights qualified for a first round bye, then defeated UMASS in the second round for a score of 2–1. In the semi-final game, played in Orlando, UCF defeated UCONN by a score of 3–1. The 1982 Championship Game was played on UCF's home field, but the Knights fell to the North Carolina Tar Heels by a score of 2–0. This would be the first of 22 NCAA Championships won by the Tar Heels, under the leadership of legendary Coach Anson Dorrance. The Knights dominated the individual players awards in the 1982 tournament, with UCF players earning the awards of Offensive Player of the Tournament (Mary Varas), Defensive Player of the Tournament (Linda Gancitano), and the tournament's Most Valuable Player (Goalkeeper Kim Wyant).

Rudy's overall record at UCF was 73–22–6. He also coached several UCF players to All-American honors.^[6][7] His best known and most accomplished player at UCF was the legendary Michelle Akers. Considered to be the best soccer player in UCF history (and one of UCF's best athletes of all time), Akers played for UCF from 1984 to 1988. During her career as a Knight, Akers scored 52 goals, 30 assists, and a team high of 134 points scored. In 1988, Akers was selected as the winner of the first Hermann Trophy (awarded to the best player in NCAA soccer for that season). Akers went on to a distinguished career with the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, winning two Women's World Cups (1991, 1999) and an Olympic Gold Medal (1996). She was also selected by FIFA as one of the 100 Top Players in 20th Century Football (Soccer), one of only two women selected to that list (the other being Mia Hamm). Akers later returned to UCF as a Volunteer Assistant Coach.^[8]

After leading UCF to the final four of the NCAA Tournament once again in 1987, Rudy left UCF to become the Head Coach of at UMASS.

After Rudy's departure, UCF Assistant Soccer Coach Bill Barker took over both the UCF Men's and Women's Soccer programs. As an assistant coach under Rudy, Barker had helped to recruit and coach outstanding talent, and this continued under his leadership as Head Coach. He would lead the Knights from 1988 to 1992, earning an overall record of 50–18–9, and leading the Knights to two more NCAA tournament appearances. After his days as a coach were done, Barker would return to UCF to work as a Planning and Knowledge Management Coordinator for the UCF College of Medicine.^[9]

During his tenure, Barker coached two future UCF Hall of Fame players: Kelly Kochevar and Karen Richter. Kochevar would score 53 goals during her time at UCF, making her the top goal scorer in program history. She would also score a hat trick in five different matches as a Knight, earning all-regional honors and selection to the Soccer America Freshman All-American Team.^[10]

Karen Richter became one of the greatest goalkeepers in NCAA history, earning NCAA Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 1990. She was also a finalist for that year's Hermann Trophy. During her three years at UCF, she only allowed 30 goals to be scored, and secured 30 shutouts (both of which are UCF records). In her Junior year, she only allowed four goals in 14 games played.^[11]

After Bill Barker departed UCF for Georgia, former UCF player Karen Richter took over as head coach, and would lead the Knights from 1993 to 1998. She would also lead the Knights into their first conference, joining the Trans America Athletic Conference (later renamed the Atlantic Sun Conference) in 1993. Under Richter's leadership, the Knights would win four conference tournament championships and one regular season championship. She was named the TAAC Conference Coach of the Year in 1991, leading UCF to another NCAA tournament berth. Richter left UCF after the 1998 season to take over as the Head Coach at Auburn, and would go on to coach with U.S. Soccer's U16, U18, and U19 women's programs.^[11]

After Richter's departure, Amanda Cromwell took over the UCF Women's Soccer Program, and would lead the Knights for the next fourteen seasons (1999–2012). Cromwell had been a standout player at the University of Virginia, had played on various professional squads, and made fifty-five appearances as a player with the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team. She had also been an Assistant Coach at Virginia and the Head Coach at UMBC before taking over the helm of UCF's program.

During her tenure with UCF, Cromwell led the Knights to an overall record of 224–83–26, which places her record in the top-30 all time in NCAA history. She led UCF to 11 NCAA tournament appearances (including the 2011 Elite Eight of the that year's tournament), nine conference championships (five tournament, four regular season championships), and eleven appearances in the top-25 rankings. This included a top-ten ranking in 2012 (#6); UCF's highest ranking in the polls in nearly two decades. Cromwell also coached 96 players who earned all-conference honors, 38 players who earned all-region selections, and several players recognized with various all-American honors.

UCF moved into Conference-USA in 2005, where the Knights record of success continued. The height of that success came in 2011, when the Knights posted 13-5-6 record and made a run to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA tournament. During the regular season, the Knights scored five wins over ranked teams, knocked rival Florida out of the second round of the tournament, and defeated North Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen before falling to Wake Forest in the Elight Eight.

In Cromwell's final season with UCF (2012), UCF earned fifteen shutout victories (conference and school single-season records) and placed in the top-10 nationally in goals against average and shutout percentage. They were also ranked in the top-25 in scoring offense and won-lost-tied percentage. In what would also be UCF's final season in Conference-USA, UCF earned the conference tournament championship and their 17th NCAA tournament appearance (the latter being the most all-time amongst all of Florida's NCAA women's soccer teams). Cromwell left UCF to take over the UCLA women's soccer program.^[12]

The 2013 season saw major changes in the UCF Women's Soccer Program. UCF moved into the American Athletic Conference, and for the first time in fourteen years, the Knight's women's soccer program had a new Head Coach. Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak took over the Knights after a successful playing career and a tenure as Head Coach at VCU. Sayhadak's playing career saw her take part in winning two NCAA National Championships (at North Carolina), a pro league championship with the WUSA's Carolina Courage, as well as a Women's World Cup Championship and two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team. She was joined at UCF by her husband, former MSL Soccer Player Tim Sahaydak, as an Assistant Coach.

UCF's first two years in the American Athletic Conference saw the Knights win back-to-back conference titles, including an undefeated conference record in the 2013 season. The Knights also earned three straight NCAA tournament appearances, including an appearance in 2014's Sweet Sixteen round of the tournament. The 2016 season saw the Knights miss the NCAA tournament for the first time in ten seasons, but returned to success the following year with a conference title and a return to the NCAA tournament. UCF won the American conference title one more time in 2022 before transitioning to the Big 12 Conference for the 2023 season. Also in 2022, Coach Sahaydak spent a year as an assistant coach with the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team while retaining her position as UCF Head Coach.^[13]

In 2025, the Knights recorded their most successful season since joining the Big 12, going 12-4-5 overall (5-1-5 in conference play). This included a 9-game unbeaten streak in Big 12 play, and multiple wins against ranked opponents. Ten UCF players scored goals during the season, led by the duo of Liz Worden and Rajanah Reed who scored or assisted on 20 of the 30 goals UCF scored during the season. Goalkeeper Genesis Perez Watson ranked in the top-20 nationally in save percentage, as she allowed only 16 goals and posted eight clean sheets on the season. The Knights made their 23rd NCAA Tournament appearance, defeating Maine in the first round before falling to Duke in the second round of the tournament.^[14]

The UCF Knights have had a long-time rivalry with the University of South Florida Bulls, whose campus is 90 miles from Orlando in Tampa. This rivalry, known as "the War on I-4" (named for the interstate highway that connects Orlando and Tampa), has encompassed all sports played by both schools, but it has been just as intense in women's soccer as it has in any other sport played by the two rival universities.

When UCF and South Florida were both members of the American Athletic Conference, both schools developed an all sports "War on I-4" trophy that would be awarded to one of the two schools on an annual basis based on their head-to-head record in all sports played that year.

Although the Bulls won the first matchup between the two schools in 1998 by a score of 4–0, the Knights dominated the rivalry for almost twenty years after that first meeting. Between 2001 and 2013, the Knights won eight games in a row against the Bulls. During their first matchup as members of the American Athletic Conference in 2013, the two teams played a 0–0 draw, but the Knights defeated the Bulls over the next two seasons’ matchups. South Florida finally defeated UCF for the first time in nearly two decades on November 5, 2015, knocking the Knights out of that year's American Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Tournament.

Between 2015 and 2022, the Bulls would win five of the next seven games against the Knights, and the two teams would play three draws against one another. These matchups would often determine conference tournament seedings and tournament advancement. When the Knights moved to the Big 12 Conference starting in the 2023 season, the two schools agreed to continue the rivalry by playing non-conference matchups each year in alternating annual games in Orlando and Tampa. Since then, the Knights have won two of the past three games, the latest being a 4–1 victory over the Bulls in Orlando during the 2025 season.

UCF's all-time record against South Florida: 14-7-4^[15]

UCF's rivalry with the Florida Gators goes back to the 1990s, when the two teams began playing each other in alternating home-and-away matchups in 1995. The Gators dominated the Knights in the early years in the rivalry, winning the first eight matchups between the two schools before UCF earned its first victory over Florida in 2005. The two teams play each other most years in non-conference regular season matchups and have met several times in the NCAA tournament.

In recent years, the Knights have turned the tables on the Gators, with UCF dominating the rivalry since 2018. Florida has not defeated UCF in ten years (since 2016), with the Knights going 5-0-1 against the Gators between 2018 and 2025. The most recent matchup (played in 2025) saw the Knights take down the Gators on the latter's home field 1–0. This was the lowest margin of victory for UCF over Florida during that ten-year span, with the Knights winning by a two to three goal margin in all their other victories over the Gators during that period (with an overall goal differential of 13–2 in the Knights’ favor). Each of UCF's victories over Florida during this period have been shutouts, with the Gators only scoring against the Knights in the 2–2 draw played in 2024. Given geographic proximity and the passionate nature of the rivalry, the two schools will more than likely continue to play each other in most years going into the future.

UCF's all-time record against Florida: 8-14-2^[16]

The Knights play their home games at the UCF Soccer and Track Stadium, part of Knights Plaza, on the north end of UCF's main campus in Orlando, Florida. The soccer field is made of natural grass and measures 347 feet (106 m) x 200 feet (61 m).^[17]

In 2011, the stadium was heavily renovated, boasting a 2,000-seat capacity with a new 1,475-seat stand, press box, 7,500 square feet (700 m²) clubhouse, restrooms and new entrance on the west side of the facility. The original 500-seat stand was retained as a visitors' stand.^[18]

Karen Richter: 1998 Trans America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year

Amanda Cromwell: 2009 Conference-USA Coach of the Year; Soccerbuzz.com Southeast Region Coach of the Year (2005); NSCAA Central Region Coach of the Year (2012); National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association Coach of the Year (2004)

Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak: 4x American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2013, 2014, 2017, 2022)

UCF Coaching Staff Collective Honors: 2x American Athletic Conference Coaching Staff of the Year (2018, 2022)

UCF Athletics Hall of Fame (Name and Year Inducted): Karen Richter (2000), Jim Rudy (2001)

(Main Source on Coaching Records Listed Above)^[19]

UCF has produced a number of notable soccer stars, including two Women's World Cup Champions (Michelle Akers x2 and Amy Allman) and an Olympic Gold Medalist (Akers).^[20] Akers and Kim Wyant were founding players on the United States women's national soccer team. Akers and Amy Allman helped them win the FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991, and Akers was one of the famed "99ers" who helped the U.S. win the 1999 Women's World Cup. Akers was also a key player who helped the U.S. win the 1996 Summer Olympics.^[21] Her career was so distinguished that Pelé named her among only two female players (along with teammate Mia Hamm) on the FIFA 100 list of the greatest living soccer players in 2004.^[21] In addition, Aline Reis, an All-American in her freshman year in 2008, was selected to the Brazil women's national football team for the first time in 2009, playing in a friendly against a local Brazilian team in July. Seven former UCF players have played in Women's World Cup tournaments, and two have played in the Olympics.^[22][23]

The Hermann Trophy is the sport's oldest and most prestigious award (on par with college football's Heisman Trophy). It has been awarded to one female collegiate soccer player every year since 1988.^[24]

Michelle Akers (1988 Winner)

Karen Richter (1990 Finalist)

Aline Reis (2009 Watch List)

Tishia Jewell (2012 Watch List)

Marissa Diggs (2013 Watch List)

An All-American designation identifies elite youth or collegiate players recognized for outstanding performance, typically representing the top talent in the nation. In women’s college soccer, a consensus All-American is a player who earns first-team All-America honors from multiple major recognized organizations.

Consensus All-Americans:

Michelle Akers (4-time Consensus All-American)

Mary Varas

Karen Richter

All-Americans:

Nancy Lay: NSCAA First Team All-American

Pam Baughman: NSCAA First Team All-American

Michelle Sedita: NSCAA First Team All-American

Laura Dryden: NSCAA First Team All-American

Kim Wyant: NSCAA First Team All-American

Amy Allman: NSCAA First Team All-American

Jean Varas: NSCAA First Team All-American

Linda Gancitano: NSCAA First Team All-American; NSCAA All-American Reserve

Kelly Kochevar: NSCAA First Team All-American

Amy Jones: NSCAA First Team All-American; Soccer News Honorable Mention All-American

Becca Thomas: NSCAA First Team All-American; NSCAA Third Team All-American

Aline Reis: NSCAA Second Team All-American; Soccer America Freshman All-American

Tishia Jewell: NSCAA Third Team All-American

Marissa Diggs: NSCAA Second Team All-American; NSCAA Third Team All-American

Tatiana Coleman: NSCAA Second Team All-American

Vera Varis: United Soccer Coaches Association First Team All-American

Kendra Flock: NSCAA Freshman All-American; SoccerBuzz.com Freshman All-American

Jessica Hallgren: NSCAA Freshman All-American; SoccerBuzz.com Freshman All-American

Jennifer Montgomery: NSCAA Freshman All-American

Michelle Akers: 1987 Soccer America Player of the Year; 1988 Missouri Athletic Club Player of the Year

Amy Allman: 1987 NCAA Goalkeeper of the Year

Kelly Kochevar: 1989 Soccer America MVP

Karen Richter: 1990 NCAA Goalkeeper of the Year

Tishia Jewell: 2012 Senior CLASS Award

Conference Player of the Year: Amy Jones (1995 Trans America Athletic Conference), Michelle Anderson (2001 Atlantic Sun/A-Sun Conference)

Conference Offensive Player of the Year: Tishia Jewell (2010 Conference-USA), Tatiana Coleman (2014 American Athletic Conference), Carol Rodrigues (2015 American Athletic Conference), Morgan Ferrara (2017 American Athletic Conference), Kristen Scott (2022 American Athletic Conference)

Conference Defensive Player of the Year: Courtney Baines (x3: 2003, 2004 Atlantic Sun/A-Sun Conference, 2005 Conference-USA), Jennifer Manis (2007 Conference-USA), Marissa Diggs (x2: 2012 Conference-USA, 2013 American Athletic Conference), Carleigh Williams (2014 American Athletic Conference), Saga Fredriksson (2016 American Athletic Conference), Konya Plummer (2019 American Athletic Conference)

Conference Midfielder of the Year: Becca Thomas (2009 Conference-USA), Kayla Adamek (2018 American Athletic Conference), Darya Rajaee (2021 American Athletic Conference)

Conference Goalkeeper of the Year: Aline Reis (2010 Conference-USA), Connie Organ (2014 American Athletic Conference), Vera Varis (x2: 2017, 2018 American Athletic Conference), Caroline DeLisle (x2: 2021, 2022 American Athletic Conference)

Conference Freshman/Rookie of the Year: Jennifer Montgomery (2002 Atlantic Sun/A-SUN Conference), Lena Petermann (2013 American Athletic Conference), Dina Orschmann (2017 American Athletic Conference)

Conference Newcomer of the Year: Danielle Dos Santos (2007 Conference-USA)

(Main Source on Players/Records Listed Above)^[25]

All-conference is a prestigious postseason honor recognizing the best-performing players within a specific athletic league or conference, voted on by coaches. It highlights top talent (first, second, third, or freshman/rookie teams) for their performance that season.

Established in 1998, the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame honors former student-athletes, coaches, and contributors who achieved excellence in their sports or made significant contributions to the University of Central Florida's athletic programs. It recognizes decorated individuals who have left a lasting legacy on the Knights' history.

Name and Year Inducted: Michelle Akers (1998), Amy Allman (1999), Karen Richter (2000-inducted as a player and coach), Kelly Kochevar (2008), Kim Wyant (2010), Aline Reis (2019)

National teams are elite squads representing their country in international competitions like the FIFA Women's World Cup, the Olympics, and Confederation championship tournaments. They also play in other tournaments, such as the U.S. sponsored She Believes Cup tournament, as well as various international "friendlies" (a non-competitive, exhibition match played between club or national teams that does not count towards league standings or tournament rankings). Governed by national bodies, the members of these teams are selected from top athlete pools to compete at the highest level. The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team is the most successful of the world's national teams, having won four Women's World Cups and five Olympic soccer tournaments in their history.

Michelle Akers: 155 caps; Women's World Cup 1991, 1995, 1999; Olympic Women's Soccer Tournament (1996); Two-Time Women's World Cup Champion (1991, 1999); Olympic Gold Medalist (1996)

Amy Allman: 24 caps; Women's World Cup 1991; Women's World Cup Champion (1991)

Kim Wyant: 9 caps

Linda Gancitano: 2 caps

Aline Reis: 15 caps; Women's World Cup 2019; Olympic Women's Soccer Tournament (2016, 2020-alternate)

Kathellen Sousa: 30 caps; Women's World Cup 2019, 2023

Lena Petermann: 22 caps; Women's World Cup 2015

Konya Plummer: 31 caps; Women's World Cup 2019, 2023

Génesis Pérez Watson: 8 caps; Women's World Cup 2023

Various nations feature women's professional soccer (football) leagues (often referred to as "club leagues") that represent the highest professional level of the sport within that nation. Teams from various leagues will also often compete with teams from other leagues in their region to determine continental or regional championships.

Bridget Callahan, Konya Plummer, Talia Gabarra, Brooke Anderson, Kirsten Scott (Orlando Pride)

Caroline DeLisle (San Diego Wave FC)

Nicolette Radovcic (Portland Thorns)

Carleigh Williams, Marissa Diggs (Houston Dash)

Tatiana Coleman (WNY Flash)

Georgia Eaton Collins (Leicester City)

Tatiana Coleman (Paris FC)

Kirsten Scott (AS Saint-Étienne)

Kayla Adamek, Aline Reis (UD Tenerife)

Georgia Eaton Collins (HB Køge)

Ariel Young (Fortuna Hjørring)

Vera Varis (Kuopion Palloseura)

Dayana Martin (Club America)

Michelle Akers (Tyresö FF)

Saga Fredriksson (Malmö FF)

Michelle Akers (Orlando Lions)

Kim Wyant (Orlando Lions, Long Island Lady Riders)

Ariel Young (Ottawa Fury)

• UCF Knights men's soccer
• List of University of Central Florida alumni

• Official website