Knights set to play NCAA tourney opener

The No. 8 women’s soccer team will begin NCAA Tournament action, hosting Washington State at 7 tonight at the UCF Soccer Complex.

The Knights earned a No. 2 seed in the tournament and are hoping an early season win over national power North Carolina and other marquee victories help them make a deep NCAA Tournament team.

The Knights are trying not to look too far ahead, but the College Cup — college soccer’s version of the Final Four — will be played at Orlando City Stadium.

“We are thrilled with earning a No. 2 seed. This team really deserved that,” UCF coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak said. “I am really proud of them and really excited to host this first match. Washington State is a good team and beat UCLA this year, so this will not be an easy road to get out of the first round. We are thrilled to be home and hope to have a lot of fans out there on Saturday night.”

Senior Kayla Adamek said the Knights are eager to bounce back from losing to rival USF in a shootout in the American Athletic Conference Tournament.

“I believe that this team can beat any team in the tournament,” she said. “We just have to give it our all.”

Tickets to UCF’s match are $8 for adults, while admission for college students with a school identification card, youth ages 2-17 and seniors age 55 and older is $5. The first 100 UCF students will receive free admission.