FGCU W. Soc @ UCF Preview

After opening their season at home, the FGCU women's soccer team (1-0) prepare for the first of their two road games of the season as they travel to Orlando to face #16 UCF.

Last Time Out:
After playing two exhibition games against FAU and Florida, the Eagles opened their season at home against Georgia Southern in the "Battle of the Eagles". FGCU would defeat Georgia Southern 3-0 to open the season. FGCU outshot Georgia Southern 22-1.

During the game, 10 of FGCU's players made their debuts/returns.

Freshmen Ashlee Brentlinger, Kara Kyramarios, Brianna Hatfield and Logan Oldani and junior transfers Evdokia "Evi" Popadinova, Opall Curless made their official FGCU debuts. Brentlinger, Popadinova and Curless were in the starting lineup.

Redshirt sophomores Megan Young and Tori Dorr made their returns to the lineup after missing the entire 2017 season due to injuries. Young was in the starting lineup.

Redshirt freshman Morgan Hawes also made her debut after sitting out the entire 2017 season due to injury.

The Eagles' three goals came off the foots of sophomore Hope Van Wagner, Popadinova and junior Marjorie "Ma" Boilesen.

Popadinova's goal was her first as an Eagle and in the NCAA. Popadinova spent her first two years at NAIA Northwestern Ohio.

Boilesen's goal was her 12th career goal at FGCU. The 2018 A-SUN Preseason Player of the Year on the MAC Hermann Watch List, tied for 8th place with current director of operations Ali Rogers and Olivia Elias in the school's all-time record book.

As I mentioned about Popadinova and Boilesen, I referred to them as the A-SUN Legion of Doom.

Scouting UCF:
The Knights are coming off of a 16-2-3 overall record and a 6-0-2 record in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) play to climb all the way to #8 in the NCAA rankings by years end.

Unfortunately, UCF was stunned at home 1-0 by Washington State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Earlier, the Knights played in two exhibition matches where they defeated Wyoming 2-0 and A-SUN conference member UNF 3-0.

This season, the Knights open up the year ranked 16th by the United Soccer Coaches Poll and are picked by the AAC coaches to repeat as champions in 2018.

They return a wealth of talent including AAC preseason Goalkeeper of the Year Vera Varis who allowed just five goals last season and 2017 AAC Rookie of the Year Dina Orschmann who finished her freshman year as the Knights shots leader while collecting six goals and eight assists in the process.

FGCU and UCF have met five times on the pitch with the Knights holding a 4-0-1 series advantage.  The Eagles lone result in the series came in 2011 in a 0-0 tie in Orlando.

The game will start at 6 P.M. on Sunday.

Livestats is available as well as livestream on UCFKnights.TV, however, in order to watch live, the game will cost $5.99 for a one-day pass.