UCF midfielder Amanda Wilkin had appeared in 25 matches for the Knights prior to Sunday and had attempted just five shots on goal – all stopped from finding the back of the net.
That all changed for the junior against Oregon State when she netted two goals in UCF’s 4-0 win over the Beavers, helping lift her team to its second shutout of the weekend.
“So far junior year is really good for me,” Wilkin said. “I had to work my way into the starting lineup. I had some meetings with Tiff (head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak) early on this year and she told me some things I needed to work on. I’ve been trying to get better individually, and so far so good.”
It was all UCF (5-2-0) from the get-go as the Knights outshot the Beavers, 20-1, in the first half. They finished the game with a 33-1 advantage in the stat column, including 10 shots on goal.
Senior Tatiana Coleman netted her fifth goal of the season and second game-winner after chipping in a high shot to the left corner in the 12th minute.
Less than seven minutes later, Wilkin tapped in her first-career goal when senior Carleigh Williams threaded a cross to her teammate near the left post.
“I felt like we came out a little flat, and even though it was 2-0 at half, I still felt there was still more in us. We had a good talk at halftime. We really focused on ourselves and putting in the work today so it could help us for the future,” Roberts Sahaydak said. “We came out with a great attitude and I think it showed. Getting another couple goals and having a lot of performances by a lot of people today. Great effort overall, all weekend.”
Wilkin wasted no time in finding the back of the net again after halftime. In the 49th minute, Jennifer Martin sent a corner kick into the box. An Oregon State player tried to clear the ball with her head, but it found Wilkin in front of the net and she put it away for a 3-0 lead.
Junior midfielder Ashley Spivey got in on the fun in the 67th minute with her first goal of the season after Coleman advanced the ball to her from the low right corner to the top of the box.
Twenty Knights clocked minutes in the match, including goalkeeper Diana Manis, who made her first career-appearance when she subbed in for Connie Organ with 18 minutes remaining.
Meanwhile, UCF’s defense kept Oregon State (0-6-2) from scoring in their fifth-straight match.
The Knights continue their homestand Friday at 7 p.m. when Long Beach State comes to town. Currently, the 49ers are ranked No. 23 nationally. The NSCAA poll will update Tuesday, and if LBSU’s standing among the Top 25 holds, it will be the first time since 2012 that the Knights have hosted a ranked opponent.