UCF All-American forward Tishia Jewell picked the perfect moment to score her first goal of the 2012 season Sunday afternoon. Jewell netted the golden goal with 31 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the No. 9 women’s soccer team to a 1-0 win over Georgia in the final game of the UCF Tournament.
Jewell capitalized on a free kick opportunity reminiscent of junior Ashley Nicol’s insurance goal in Friday’s win over Dartmouth.
“She came through,” UCF head coach Amanda Cromwell said. “She’s very dangerous on those. Obviously set plays are huge for us with Ash scoring on Friday on a free kick. Our girls were ready to score. I think we dominated that game in many areas, and Georgia’s coach after the game was very classy and said, `You guys deserved it.'”
For her efforts, Jewell was named the tournament’s offensive most valuable player. UCF defender Madison Barney, who helped the Knights secure two shutouts this weekend, was named the tournament’s defensive MVP. The pair joined senior forward Nicolette Radovcic and junior defender Ashley Nicol on the all-tournament team.
Meeting for the first time since 1998, UCF (5-1-0) and Georgia (4-2-0) played through a scoreless 90 minutes despite the Knights’ numerous chances at the net. UCF out-shot the Bulldogs 20-6, as 14 of those shots came on goal.
Time and again, Georgia goalkeeper Ashley Baker managed to find her way in front of the ball, notching eight saves in the first period, another four in the second period and one in overtime.
“I think (the win) shows that we grind it out as a team,” Jewell said. “We had chances to put the game away and we didn’t finish them, but we kept going until we got one.”
Battling not only the Bulldogs, but sun and fatigue as well, UCF finally broke through with less than a minute remaining in the extra period when the Knights drew a foul for a free-kick opportunity just outside the left corner of the box.
As Jewell lined up for the shot, Cromwell knelt on the sidelines and said she told assistant coach Joshua S. Walters, Sr., that now would be the perfect time for the senior to score her first goal of the year.
Baker got a hand on Jewell’s attempt on the goal line but wasn’t able to hang onto the ball, and the Knights walked away with their first win over Georgia in program history. In the process, UCF extended its winning-streak to three-straight games and improved its record to 2-0 in overtime contests this year.
The Knights will travel to Boston College on Sept. 9 to face the Eagles for the first time since 2004.
Season tickets are available for UCF’s remaining home games, beginning at $30. A complimentary soccer scarf comes with each purchase. The Gold Pass, which includes season tickets to all volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s basketball, softball and track and field contests, is also available now. For more information and to place an order, call the UCF Ticket Office at (407) UCF-1000 or visit UCFAthletics.com.
All-Tournament Team