CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
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TAMPA, Fla. – Rachel Hill added to her Conference-leading goal total when she booted her 16th score into the back of the net in the sixth minute of UConn’s semifinal matchup against UCF in Tampa. The Huskies, ranked fourth in their region by the NSCAA, posted their fourth straight shutout with a 1-0 victory over American Athletic Conference regular season champion UCF.
In a physical game pitting the Conference No. 1 seed UCF against No. 4 seed UConn, the Huskies came out on top for the second time this season. On Oct.19, senior night in Storrs, Connecticut, UConn handed the Knights their only 2014 Conference loss, with a 1-0 final score.
Hill, a sophomore from Rollinsford, New Hampshire, was assisted on the goal by senior Lindsey Watkins. The score was Hill’s fifth gamewinner of the season, and pushed her into the American Athletic Conference total points lead with 35. She missed tacking on another point when an offside call in the first minute of the second half called back a goal by Andrea Plucenik, assisted by Hill.
UConn goalkeepers Allison Saucier and Emily Armstrong combined to shut out the Knights. Saucier, a junior, recorded one save in the first half, and sophomore Armstrong matched her with a save in the 75th minute off a shot by UCF’s Tatiana Coleman. Coleman shared Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors with Hill earlier in the week.
UCF’s offense tested the Huskies with seven shots total, including two by Coleman and three by Ashley Spivey. Conference Goalkeeper of the Year Connie Organ recorded three saves for UCF. While the NSCAA 19th ranked Knights will not repeat as American champions, their season will almost certainly continue when the NCAA tournament bracket is announced on Monday.
UConn will take on the winner of the second semifinal, which pits Conference No. 3 seed USF against No. 7 seed East Carolina, in the championship on Sunday, November 9.
The championship game will air live on ESPNU at 11 a.m. ET. You can also follow the action all weekend on our championship central page at www.theamerican.org/wsoccer.