The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Central Florida
Soccer preview: UCF [Sept. 12, 2014]
09.11.2014 | Soccer
Longhorns and Knights match-up at 3:30 p.m. CT on Friday
Texas (4-0-2) vs. UCF (3-2-0)
Friday, Sept. 12 – 3:30 p.m. Central
Corbett Soccer Stadium (2,000) – Tampa, Fla.
Television/Live Video: None available
Internet Audio: None available
TEXAS IS ON A SHUTOUT STREAK!
With consecutive shutouts, the Burnt Orange & White defense currently possesses a shutout streak of 252:06 dating back to the 17:54 mark of the Aug. 31 match against Nevada. UT has allowed just one goal during its last 465:48 of game action over five matches.
OUR VERY OWN IRON WOMAN!
Junior goalkeeper Abby Smith has truly become the go-to player for Texas between the pipes. The Plano, Texas, native has played every available minute of UT's last 38 matches dating back to Sept. 14, 2012, versus Fresno State, a stretch of an incredible 2571 minutes and 58 seconds or almost 43 total hours!
THAT'S QUITE AN OFFENSE!
Texas currently boasts the top scoring offense (2.83 goals-per-match - ranked 21st in NCAA Division I) and has registered the most assists-per-match (2.17) and the most total points (47 - 7.83 points-per-match) in the updated Big 12 Conference statistics (Sept. 9). UT's defense is also tied for second in shutouts with three and possesses the third-best goals-against-average at 0.62. From an individual standpoint, Olivia Brook (five) and Brooke Gilbert (four) are tied for second and fourth in the Big 12 in goals scored, respectively, while Jasmine Hart is deadlocked at No. 2 in assists (four).
WE'RE STILL UNBEATEN!
Through the first six matches of the 2014 campaign, the Texas soccer team remains unbeaten at 4-0-2. Now that's definitely a big deal, but even moreso when you consider that this marks only the SECOND TIME in program history that the 'Horns haven't suffered a defeat through their initial six trips to the pitch. UT began the 2008 season with a 5-0-1 mark and eventually stayed unbeaten through its opening nine matches at 7-0-2 before suffering a defeat.
OLIVIA IS OFF TO A TRULY HISTORIC START...
Texas freshman forward Olivia Brook has wasted little time demonstrating her immense potential for the Longhorns by scoring a team-leading five goals through her first six career matches. For her efforts against Texas A&M-CC and Montana, the Houston, Texas, product was honored as the Big 12 Conference's Newcomer of the Week (Sept. 9).
In the history of the UT program, NO FRESHMAN HAD EVER STARTED OFF HER CAREER WITH FIVE GOALS IN HER FIRST FIVE MATCHES UNTIL BROOK ACCOMPLISHED THE FEAT THIS SEASON. Before Brook's start, three Texas rookies had managed four goals in their initial five contests: Courtney Goodson (2008), Kelly Wilson (2001) and Alanna Makinano (1996). The top six-match starts in UT history by freshmen are listed below:
Year Player Goals Over First Six Matches
1996 Alanna Makinano 6 over first six matches
2014 Olivia Brook 5 over first six matches
2000 Kati McBain 5 over first six matches (was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year)
Brook scored two goals in each of back-to-back matches against Nevada and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
AWAY FROM THE FRIENDLY CONFINES...
Texas owns just a 6-10-1 mark in road matches under head coach Angela Kelly but has seen a recent run of success markedly improve that total. UT is 4-1-1 in its last six true road matches, including a perfect 2-0 record in 2014 with wins at Hawai'i (2-1) and at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. In neutral site matches under Kelly, the Longhorns are 2-1-2 with a tie this year against now nationally-ranked Arizona State back in the season-opener in Waipahu, Hi. Texas faces UCF in a neutral site match on Friday and USF away on Sunday.
SCORING FIRST SETS THE RIGHT TONE
In three seasons under coach Angela Kelly, the Longhorns have posted an 20-1-3 mark when scoring the initial goal of the contest. UT went 10-0-1 last year when scoring first.
