University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL 32816

Florida Southeast

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Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak

An Olympic gold medalist, World Cup champion and two-time NCAA champion, Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak was named head women's soccer coach at UCF in May 2013.

A four-time American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, Roberts Sahaydak has wasted no time in putting her stamp on UCF's successful program. Under her guidance, the Knights have earned five NCAA Tournament bids and four American Athletic Conference championships while boasting 18 Conference Player of the Year awards and 67 all-league and tournament selections.

An integral member of the 1999 United States World Cup winning squad, Roberts Sahaydak returned to the fold as an assistant coach under Vlatko Andonovski in 2022. At the 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Roberts Sahaydak became the first champion as a player to transition into a coaching role with the team, propelling the USWNT to knockout round qualification for the ninth consecutive edition.

Ushering in a new era in the Big 12, the Knights' inaugural campaign as a member of one of the nation's premier conferences was historic, resulting in a trip to the Big 12 Championships semifinals. Under the guidance of Roberts Sahaydak, UCF secured a 10-7-1 (5-4-1 Big 12) record, and the second most wins of any conference newcomer. In Austin, Texas, the Knights defeated the 2022 conference runner-ups, TCU, 3-2 to garner UCF Athletics its first postseason win in the Big 12. In the program's inaugural conference home match at the UCF Soccer Complex, the Knights defeated reigning champions, West Virginia, 4-2. Following the squad's sixth-place finish in conference play, Dayana Martin earned second-team honors on the Big 12 All-Conference team, while Jessica McCullen secured a spot on the all-freshman team. Martin would also be mamed to the United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest Region Third Team following yet another dominating 13-point season leading the Knights attack. For the second-consecutive season, Roberts Sahaydak and her staff produced a NWSL draft pick as Talia Garbarra was selected by the Orlando Pride with the 14th pick in the four round.

In their final season in the AAC, the Knights boasted a 9-2-7 (7-0-1 AAC) record, going undefeated in conference play and picking up nine clean sheets along the way to becoming AAC Regular Season Champions. With the first victory of the season, Roberts Sahaydak earned her 100th win at UCF as a head coach. The Black and Gold collected a bid to the NCAA Tournament and advanced past NC State in the first round to face eventual national champion UCLA, where they fell in penalty kicks. Kristen Scott picked up Offensive Player of the Year honors, while Caroline DeLisle earned her second-straight Goalkeeper of the Year award. DeLisle and Scott were joined by Dayana Martin and Darya Rajaee on the All-Conference First Team, with Georgia Eaton-Collins being named to the All-Conference Second Team and Mia Asenjo earning unanimous selection to the All-Rookie Team. Scott would later be drafted by the Orlando Pride with the 41st-overall pick in the 2023 NWSL draft.

In 2021, Roberts Sahaydak coached the Knights to an 8-7-1 (3-4-1 American Athletic Conference) and entered the American Athletic Conference Championship tournament as a six seed. With the Knights sixth victory of the season, Roberts Sahaydak earned her 150th career win as a collegiate head coach. Under Roberts Sahaydak, Caroline DeLisle and Darya Rajaee earned their first selections to the All-Conference First Team. In total, four Knights earned conference awards with Caroline DeLisle also earning Goalkeeper of the Year and Darya Rajaee also earning Midfielder of the Year while Ariel Young earned All-Rookie Team honors and Kristen Scott earned All-Conference First Team.

In an unconventional 2020-21 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Roberts Sahaydak led the Black & Gold to picking up five all-league selections as the Knights finished the spring season with a 2-4-1 mark. Four Knights picked up honors, with Sarai Linder representing the Knights on the First Team All-Conference and All-Rookie Teams, Ellie Moreno and Madsion Murnin were named to the Second Team All-Conference, and Katie Bradley joins Sarai Linder on the All-Rookie Team.

In 2019, Roberts Sahaydak led the Knights to a 11-4-4 (5-2-2 American Athletic Conference) and earned a No. 3 seed to the American Athletic Conference Championship. The Knights posted a six-game unbeaten streak and climed to as high No. 21 in the United Soccer Coaches Polls. Under Roberts Sahaydak, Konya Plummer was named First Team All-Region by the United Soccer Coaches Association, as well as the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In total, six student-athletes were recognized by the Conference coaches with Plummer also earning First Team All-Conference, while Senior Zandy Soree and sophomore Kristen Scott earned Second Team All-Conference honors. Caroline DeLisle, Ally Gudorf, and Ellie Moreno picked up All-Rookie accolades.

The Knights finished the 2018 campaign at 10-7-1 (6-3 American Athletic Conference) and entered the American Athletic Conference Championship tournament as a the third seed. Under Roberts Sahaydak, three Knights earned All-Southeast Region honors - Stefanie Sanders earned second team all-region, while Vera Varis and Carrie Lawrence collected third team all-region recognition. Additionally, five student-athletes were recognized by the league coaches at the conclusion of the regular season. Vera Veris was named Goalkeeper of the Year and named to First Team All-Conference. Stefanie Sanders joined Veris with First Team All-Conference honors while Dina Orschmann and Carrie Lawrence earned Second Team All-Conference accolades and Kristen Scott was named to the All-Rookie team.

In 2017, Roberts Sahaydak coached the Knights to a 13-2-3 record, the most wins since the 2014 campaign. UCF climbed as climbed as high as No. 6 and finished the regular season ranked eighth. The Knights posted a 16-match unbeaten streak, the longest since the 2013 campaign, captured the American Athletic Conference regular season championship and made their 21st NCAA Tournament appearance.

Under Roberts Sahaydak’s tutelage, five members of the team received All-Southeast Region recognition and goalkeeper Vera Varis was named to the United Soccer Coaches Association All-American Third Team. In addition, five of her starters were recognized as American Athletic Conference Players of the Year, including Morgan Ferrara (Offensive), Kathellen Sousa (Co-Defensive), Vera Varis (Goalkeeper), Kayla Adamek (Midfielder), and Dina Orschmann (Rookie). A total of seven Knights were placed on the All-American Athletic Conference Teams, and three were recognized on the all-tournament team.

In 2016, four student-athletes were named to the All-American Athletic Conference Teams. Saga Fredriksson was named to the All-Northeast Region Team and recognized as the American Athletic Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Off the field, the Knights earned recognition for their academic success as they received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Award.

Roberts Sahaydak tackled the 2015 season with team that featured more newcomers (14) than returners (12) and lost three key members due to injury for the year before the season-opening weekend was in the books. Eight of their starters, including their American Athletic Conference Offensive Player, Defensive Player and Goalkeeper of the Year, had moved on from the year before. But the Knights earned a berth to their ninth-straight NCAA Tournament (20th overall) and nabbed a hosting gig for the first round for the fifth straight season. In addition, Carol Rodrigues was named the American's Co-Offensive Player of the Year.

In 2014, she guided the Knights to their second NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in four years and the American regular season title. Under her direction, three Knights were recognized as conference Players of the Year: Tatiana Coleman (Co-Offensive); Carleigh Wiliams (Defensive); and Connie Organ (Goalkeeper). UCF posted its first undefeated home slate (11-0) since 1999, matched the school record for wins in a season (18) and was nationally ranked through much of the year.

In her first season (2013), she led UCF to a school-record unbeaten streak (18 matches), an NSCAA national standing through much of the year and the program's first undefeated conference season since 1999. In addition, UCF made history as the first program to win an American Athletic Conference Championship. Roberts Sahaydak came to Orlando after serving six seasons at VCU alongside her co-head coach, husband and current UCF associate head coach Tim Sahaydak.

Roberts Sahaydak spent a decade with the U.S. National Team from 1994-2004, earning 110 caps (with 60 starts). Her career was highlighted by three women's World Cups - among them, the unforgettable 1999 championship - and a gold medal with the 1996 Olympic team.

After retiring from the USWNT, she has served as an ambassador for U.S. Soccer with the U.S. Department of State Sports Envoy Program since 2007, promoting the power and benefit of sport internationally. With the program, she has visited Indonesia, Uganda, the Philippines, Thailand, Namibia, Brazil and France. In 2014, she was appointed to President Barack Obama's Presidential Delegation to the Federative Republic of Brazil at the opening of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

She is a native of San Ramon, Calif., and was selected as the 1994 California High School Player of the Year. She was a three-time Parade High School All-American, a three-time NSCAA All-American and was the two-time National Girl's High School Player of the Year.

She debuted for the Stars and Stripes in 1994 when she was only 16 as one of the youngest players ever to suit up for the National Team. She played in her first FIFA Women's World Cup a month after her 18th birthday and won Olympic gold before she was out of her teens (USSoccer.com).

As a collegian, Roberts Sahaydak was a standout midfielder for North Carolina (1995-98) as a three-time All-ACC First Team selection. She led the Tar Heels to two NCAA titles (1996, 1997) during her tenure, was voted the 1998 ACC Tournament MVP and finished third in voting for collegiate soccer's highest honor, the Hermann Trophy. She still ranks among the top five for career starts in UNC's record book.

She was a two-time captain for the Carolina Courage in the first fully professional U.S. women's league (Women's United Soccer Association). She helped the Courage win the 2002 title after finishing last in the team's inaugural campaign one year prior.

Roberts Sahaydak took over VCU's program in 2007 and led the Rams to three conference championship game appearances. She was voted as the 2011 Colonial Athletic Association Co-Head Coach of the Year, along with her husband Tim. The duo mentored two CAA Defenders of the Year, one CAA Rookie of the Year and 20 all-conference players, including six first-team honorees.

The Sahaydaks reside in Orlando with their two daughters, Layla and Evie.

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Tim Sahaydak

Tim Sahaydak was hired as UCF's associate head coach in 2013 after spending six seasons at VCU alongside his co-head coach, wife and current UCF head coach, Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak.

A member of the inaugural Big 12 staff, Sahaydak assisted in UCF's 10-7-1 (5-4-1 Big 12) record, along with a trip to the conference semifinals. In Austin, Texas, the Knights defeated the 2022 conference runner-ups, TCU, 3-2 to garner UCF Athletics its first postseason win in the Big 12. In the program's inaugural conference home match at the UCF Soccer Complex, the Knights defeated reigning champions, West Virginia, 4-2. Following the squad's sixth-place finish in conference play, Dayana Martin earned second-team honors on the Big 12 All-Conference team, while Jessica McCullen secured a spot on the all-freshman team. Martin would also be mamed to the United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest Region Third Team following yet another dominating 13-point season leading the Knights attack. For the second-consecutive season, Sahaydak coached another NWSL draft pick as Talia Garbarra was selected by the Orlando Pride with the 14th pick in the four round.

In their final season in the AAC, Sahaydak assisted in the Knights 9-2-7 (7-0-1 AAC) record, going undefeated in conference play and picking up nine clean sheets along the way to becoming AAC Regular Season Champions. The Black and Gold collected a bid to the NCAA Tournament and advanced past NC State in the first round to face eventual national champion UCLA, where they fell in penalty kicks. Kristen Scott picked up Offensive Player of the Year honors, while Caroline DeLisle earned her second-straight Goalkeeper of the Year award. DeLisle and Scott were joined by Dayana Martin and Darya Rajaee on the All-Conference First Team, with Georgia Eaton-Collins being named to the All-Conference Second Team and Mia Asenjo earning unanimous selection to the All-Rookie Team. Scott would later be drafted by the Orlando Pride with the 41st-overall pick in the 2023 NWSL draft.

In 2021, Roberts Sahaydak coached the Knights to an 8-7-1 (3-4-1 American Athletic Conference) and entered the American Athletic Conference Championship tournament as a six seed. Under Roberts Sahaydak, Caroline DeLisle and Darya Rajaee earned their first selections to the All-Conference First Team. In total, four Knights earned conference awards with Caroline DeLisle also earning Goalkeeper of the Year and Darya Rajaee also earning Midfielder of the Year while Ariel Young earned All-Rookie Team honors and Kristen Scott earned All-Conference First Team.

In an unconventional 2020-21 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sahaydak assisted with the Black & Gold to picking up five all-league selections as the Knights finished the spring season with a 2-4-1 mark. Four Knights picked up honors, with Sarai Linder representing the Knights on the First Team All-Conference and All-Rookie Teams, Ellie Moreno and Madsion Murnin were named to the Second Team All-Conference, and Katie Bradley joins Sarai Linder on the All-Rookie Team.

In 2019, Sahaydak coached the Knights to another 11-win season, earning the No. 3 seed to the American Athletic Conference Championship. The Knights posted a six-game unbeaten streak and climed to as high No. 21 in the United Soccer Coaches Polls. Konya Plummer was named First Team All-Region by the United Soccer Coaches Association, as well as the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In total, six student-athletes were recognized by the Conference coaches with Plummer also earning First Team All-Conference, while Senior Zandy Soree and sophomore Kristen Scott earned Second Team All-Conference honors. Caroline DeLisle, Ally Gudorf, and Ellie Moreno picked up All-Rookie accolades.

The Knights finished the 2018 campaign with 10 wins and entered the American Athletic Conference Championship tournament as the third seed. Sahaydak coached three Knights that earned All-Southeast Region honors - Stefanie Sanders earned second team all-region, while Vera Varis and Carrie Lawrence collected third team all-region recognition. Additionally, five student-athletes were recognized by the league coaches at the conclusion of the regular season. Vera Veris was named Goalkeeper of the Year and named to First Team All-Conference. Stefanie Sanders joined Veris with First Team All-Conference honors while Dina Orschmann and Carrie Lawrence earned Second Team All-Conference accolades and Kristen Scott was named to the All-Rookie team.

In 2017, Sahaydak helped lead the Knights to 13 wins, the most victories since the 2014 campaign, season-high ranking of No. 6 and a 16-match unbeaten streak - the longest since the 2013 campaign. The Knights captured the American Athletic Conference regular season championship and earned their 21st bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Sahaydak helped coach five starters to the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year awards. Five Knights received All-Southeast Region recognition, and a total seven student athletes earned a spot on the All-American Athletic Conference Teams. In addition, junior goalkeeper Vera Varis was named to the United Soccer Coaches Association All-American Third Team.

In 2016, Sahaydak saw four student-athletes named to the All-American Athletic Conference Teams. In addition, Saga Fredriksson was named to the All-Northeast Region Team and recognized as the American Athletic Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Off the field, the Knights earned recognition for their academic success as they received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Team Academic Award.

In 2015, the Knights earned a berth to their ninth-straight NCAA Tournament (20th overall) and nabbed a hosting gig for the first round for the fifth straight season. In addition, Carol Rodrigues was named the American's Co-Offensive Player of the Year.

In 2014, Sahaydak helped guide the Knights to their second NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in four years and the American regular season title. He witnessed three Knights earn conference Players of the Year honors: Tatiana Coleman (Co-Offensive); Carleigh Wiliams (Defensive); and Connie Organ (Goalkeeper). UCF posted its first undefeated home slate (11-0) since 1999, matched the school record for wins in a season (18) and was nationally ranked through much of the year.

In his first season with the Knights, Sahaydak helped guide UCF to a school-record unbeaten streak (18 matches), an NSCAA national standing through much of the year and the program's first undefeated conference season since 1999. In addition, UCF made history as the first program to win an American Athletic Conference Championship.

In his playing days, Sahaydak rose quickly through the national soccer community, earning spots on the U-18 and U-20 national teams and gaining a scholarship to the University of North Carolina for the 1995 season.

In 1997, he was granted the opportunity to become, at the time, the youngest player ever to play on a Major League Soccer team when he suited up for the Columbus Crew. He spent two seasons with Columbus before joining the Miami Fusion for three seasons and also served on the reserve squads for FC Dallas and DC United.

After his playing career came to a close, Sahaydak returned to Chapel Hill and completed his degree in communications/rhetorical studies.

Sahaydak took over VCU's program with Tiffany in 2007 and led the Rams to three conference championship game appearances. He was voted as the 2011 Colonial Athletic Association Co-Head Coach of the Year, along with his wife. The duo mentored two CAA Defenders of the Year, one CAA Rookie of the Year and 20 all-conference players, including six first-team honorees.

The Sahaydaks reside in Orlando with their two daughters, Layla and Evie.

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Chris Cummings

Chris Cummings, spent the 2014-15 seasons as a volunteer assistant coach for the women's soccer team, was promoted to assistant coach in March 2016.

Cummings primarily works with UCF's goalkeepers. As recruiting coordinator, he helps to identify and bring in top talent from around the country.

A member of the inaugural Big 12 staff, Cummings served a vital role in UCF's 10-7-1 (5-4-1 Big 12) record, along with a trip to the conference semifinals. In Austin, Texas, the Knights defeated the 2022 conference runner-ups, TCU, 3-2 to garner UCF Athletics its first postseason win in the Big 12. In the program's inaugural conference home match at the UCF Soccer Complex, the Knights defeated reigning champions, West Virginia, 4-2. Following a shutout at Cincinnati, Carolina DeLisle secured sole possesion of the program record with her 31st-career clean sheet and concluded her UCF career fifth in saves (301) as Cummings assisted throughout her five seasons to grow and produce one of the nation's top shot stoppers.

In their final season in the AAC, Cummings assisted in the Knights 9-2-7 (7-0-1 AAC) record, going undefeated in conference play and picking up nine clean sheets along the way to becoming AAC Regular Season Champions. The Black and Gold collected a bid to the NCAA Tournament and advanced past NC State in the first round to face eventual national champion UCLA, where they fell in penalty kicks. Cummings' guidance of Caroline DeLisle earned her second-straight Goalkeeper of the Year award and first team All-Conference selection. The Knights' defense conceded just two goals across eight conference matches during the regular season.

In 2021, goalkeeper Caroline DeLisle was named the American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and earned her first selection to the All-Conference American First Team, primarily working with Cummings as the goalkeeper coach. The Knights earned seven shutouts on the year as DeLisle made a career-high 78 saves. DeLisle's 78 saves ranked second in The American and carred a .812 save percent, which was also second in the conference.

In an unconventional 2020-21 campaign, Cummings helped guide starting goalkeeper Caroline DeLisle to making 23 saves through six games. DeLisle carried a 1.12 goals against average, ranking fifth in the leage.

Working with Caroline DeLisle throughout the 2019 campaign, Cummings guided the keeper to allowing just three goals throughout the season as the Knights posted a 11-4-4 record. DeLisle was named American Athletic Conference Second Team All-Conference and to the All-Rookie team.

Under Cummings’ guidance, at the conclusion of the 2018 campaign, Vera Varis earned her second consecutive Goalkeeper of the Year accolade as she was named the American Athletic Conference honoree and named to the United Soccer Coaches Association Third Team All-Region. Varis played every minute in goal for the Knights during league play and allowed just 19 goals for a 1.05 goals-against average and recorded five shutouts on the season. She finished her career ranked fourth with 231 saves as a Knight and her 21 career shutouts rank sixth all-time at UCF.

In 2017, goalkeeper Vera Varis was named the American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and earned United Soccer Coaches Association All-America Third Team honors. Varis ended her junior campaign with the third-best goals against average in the nation (.274) after allowing just four goals all season.

The Knights posted a 16-match unbeaten streak - the longest since the 2013 campaign - and 13 victories, the most since 2014. After capturing The American regular season title, UCF earned its 21st NCAA Tournament appearance.

In 2015, Cummings helped freshman Vera Varis earn all-rookie distinction with her 11-5-2 record. Her lights-out performance in UCF's American Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinal and semifinal matches warranted her a spot on the all-tournament team.

In his first season as part of the staff in 2014, Connie Organ was named the American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year. Organ ranked second on UCF's single-season shutout leaders with 12, and she ranked 11th in the country for goals-against average (.568) while helping UCF capture the American's regular season championship.

In addition to his work with UCF, Cummings has served as the goalkeeper coach for the Jamaican Women's National Team since September 2014. His experience includes the 2014 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Tournament, the 2015 Olympic qualifiers and the 2015 U-20 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

A 2010 (bachelor's) and 2013 (master's) graduate of Rollins College, he was a four-year letterwinner for the Tars' men's soccer team. He compiled a 3-0-2 record as a starter in 2007 and a 3-1 mark in 2010.

He went on to serve as a graduate assistant for the men's program and helped guide the team to a Sunshine State Conference Tournament title in 2012 and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance that year. In addition, Cummings and Rollins goalkeeper coach Joe Raymond guided goalkeeper Keneil Baker to All-SSC Second Team honors and NSCAA All-Region First Team laurels.

In 2013, he pulled double duty for the Tars' men's and women's programs as the volunteer goalkeeper coach. That year, the men's team advanced to the Elite 8 while the women captured the SSC Tournament championship and had a run to the Sweet 16. Under Cummings' and Raymond's tutelage, keepers Mary Spring (All-SSC Second Team) and Baker (First Team Daktronics All-South) were both individually honored for their efforts during their respective campaigns.

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Scott Calabrese

Scott Calabrese was named the sixth head men's soccer coach at UCF on Dec. 5, 2016.

In six seasons at the helm of the Black and Gold, Calabrese and staff guided the Knights to three consecutive American Athletic Conference regular season titles and NCAA Tournament appearances, as well as a conference tournament title in 2020-21. During his first four years, Calabrese’s teams compiled a 45-16-8 record, including a 26-5-6 mark at the UCF soccer complex.

Calabrese has seen five of his student-athletes get selected in the MLS SuperDraft during his tenure, two of which were first round selections. Gino Vivi was taken in the first round, 23rd overall in 2023. Nick Taylor and Yanis Leerman were selected in 2022. Cal Jennings was a first round selection with the 17th overall pick in 2019, followed by Jonathan Dean with the 39th overall pick.

The sixth season of Calabrese’s tenure saw the Knights earn a ranked win over No. 13 Charlotte, the fourth straight year in which UCF had beat a ranked opponent and the fifth straight in earning a result. 2022 saw Lucca Dourado and Anderson Rosa receive nods to the All-Conference First Team while Vivi was a member of the Second Team and Juanvi Muñoz was named to the All-Rookie Team. Dourado, Rosa and Vivi were named to the 2022 All-East Region Second Team.

Dourado and Vivi were also members of the 2021 All-East Region Second Team and were two of six total All-Conference selections in 2021. Dourado was the lone Knight on the First Team while Vivi, Rosa, Yanis Leerman, Nick Taylor and Mauricio Villalobos all earned Second Team nods.

The fourth campaign of Calabrese's tenure was delayed due to the global pandemic of COVID-19. The 2020 fall season was pushed to the spring of 2021 with a shortened, 10-match, conference-only schedule. The team got off to a slow start, coming out of the gates 1-3. UCF quickly rebounded as they won six consecutive matches to earn their third straight American regular season crown. The unbeaten streak didn't stop there, as the Knights topped SMU in penalty kicks in the conference tournament semifinals before going on to defeat Tulsa 1-0 in the championship match, earning the program's first conference tournament title in The American and securing an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which had been cut from 48 teams to 36 for the season due to COVID-19. The Knights sat dormant in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as they had earned a bye for the third straight season. They met James Madison in the second round, besting the Dukes 2-1 to advance to the team's second straight Sweet 16 appearance.

Year number three of the Calabrese era was the most successful thus far and could arguably be tabbed as the best season in program history. The Knights posted a record of 15-3-2 and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, the farthest the team has ever gone. The 15 victories ties a program high and was the highest win total in UCF’s Division I tenure. The Black and Gold posted a 6-0-1 record in conference play, making them just the third team in the history of The American to go unbeaten in conference play.

For the second straight season, Calabrese and staff earned the American Athletic Conference Coaching Staff of the Year. The squad went 16 straight matches without a loss, obliterating the previous record of 10 straight matches unbeaten which was achieved last season. The program earned their second straight national seed ahead of the NCAA Tournament, checking in at No. 9. In the second round, the Knights defeated Missouri State by a score of 2-1 in overtime. The victory marked the first time that UCF had advanced to the third round of the tournament.

Calabrese had the offense clicking on all cylinders in 2018 and 2019 as they were one of the top scoring teams in all of Division I. During those two seasons, the Knights had been ranked top 10 in the nation in almost every offensive category including total assists, total goals, total points, scoring offense, points per game, assists per game and goals per game. They were the top team in shots per game and shots on goal per game in 2018 and led the nations in corners in 2019. UCF was also the top team in The American in all of those categories.

The accolades have piled up over the past three seasons. The Knights took home four major conference accolades in 2019. Jennings won his second consecutive Offensive Player of the Year while Yannik Oettl earned his second straight nod as goalkeeper of the year. Yoni Sorokin was dubbed as the Midfielder of the Year while Vivi was honored as the Rookie of the Year. The Black and Gold had five All-Conference selections in The American, including four on the First Team. Two freshmen made their way onto the All-Rookie squad. The awards kept coming during the 2020-21 season as Oettl three-peated as the conference's Goalkeeper of the Year and Sorokin repeated as the Midfielder of the Year. Five Knights made the All-Conference First Team and another made the cut for the Second Team. Three rookies were named to the American's All-Rookie Team, and the team was tabbed with the conference's Fair Play Award.

Calabrese and company have had a hand in coaching two All-Americans throughout their tenure. Jennings was named to the All-American First Team in 2018 and 2019 while Leerman earned a nod to the All-American Second Team in 2020-21.

Three of UCF’s eight NCAA Tournament nods have come from Calabrese, with the first two including hosting privileges as the Knights were the No. 14 national seed in 2018 and No. 9 in 2019. The team shattered their highest rankings in the United Soccer Coaches poll those seasons, as the team set a personal best of No. 7 in 2018 and went on to climb as high as No. 5 in 2019.

Calabrese also produced a two-time MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in Cal Jennings who scored 20 goals in 19 games including three hat tricks in 2018. The following season saw Jennings post 18 goals in 20 games and tally a hat trick in The American tournament semifinals.

2018 saw UCF win their first conference title since 2011 as they took the regular season crown with a 5-1-1 record in conference play. Overall, the Knights finished 13-3-3 and put together an impressive 8-2-3 record at the UCF Soccer Complex scoring 29 goals and grabbing 86 points. Three major award winners were produced (Offensive, Midfielder, Goalkeeper of the Year), seven All-Conference selections, and eight Player of the Week awards from The American. They also produced five All-Region selections and two All-Americans (Cal Jennings and Louis Perez). In addition to all the awards, the Knights capped off the regular season with a ranking of No. 9, which was the third highest in program history at the time.

In his first season with UCF, the Knights went 8-6-2 overall and 4-2-1 in conference play. The team went undefeated at home posting four wins and finished second in the American Athletic Conference under Calabrese’s leadership. During the 2017 season, the Knights were awarded The American Player of Week five times, earned five all-conference selections, two all-rookie honors, and two all-region winners. Also during his first season in The American, the Knights finished first in points (39), goals (13), and assists (13), while senior Matias Pyysalo dominated the offensive game taking Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Calabrese spent the previous three seasons before coming to UCF at FIU, taking the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in over 10 years by capturing the 2015 Conference USA Championship. He helped the Panthers to consecutive appearances in the finals at the C-USA Championship.

"I am very excited about the pedigree that Scott Calabrese brings to UCF," White said. "The soccer culture in Orlando has grown exponentially over the last several years, and I believe Coach Calabrese can help us add to that culture here at UCF. Scott has had great success in his coaching career. He was the region coach of the year at FIU in 2015 and won two conference championships at East Tennessee State, where he started the program from scratch. I look forward to watching him build the Knights into a national power in the soccer capital of the south."

The Newton, Conn., native has been known for building programs and started the program at East Tennessee State in 2008. In three short years, he guided the Bucs to the 2010 Atlantic Sun Championship behind 10 shutout victories, earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The 2010 NSCAA South Region Coach of the Year tallied four seasons with 10-or-more victories and also aided ETSU to the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

"I would like to thank Dr. Daniel J. White and the search committee for providing me with the opportunity to be the next head men's soccer coach at UCF," Calabrese said. "I am beyond excited to join this incredible and growing athletic department that is investing in its student-athletes and programs.

"I had an opportunity to meet the team and talk with the players individually this morning. They are very committed to seeing this program succeed, improve and progress. I can't wait to get started on the field in January and begin building personal relationships with these young men."

Prior to taking the head coaching position at ETSU, Calabrese served four seasons as an assistant at Clemson from 2003-06. He aided the Tigers to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2005 College Cup and a No. 1 national ranking. He additionally worked as the director of the Clemson Soccer Academy, which hosts over 1,800 youth soccer players a year.

As a part of the coaching staff at North Carolina from 2000-01, he helped the Tar Heels to a pair of Elite Eight appearances, which included the 2001 National Championship and 2000 ACC Championship.

He has ties to the central Florida area, beginning his career as an assistant coach at Stetson from 1998-99.

Calabrese also has a connection to UCF women's soccer head coach Tiffany Roberts-Sahaydak, who he coached professionally as a member of the Carolina Courage (WUSA) coaching staff in 2002. He helped guide the Courage as an assistant coach to the Founder's Cup that season.

Calabrese graduated from Bryant College with a degree in business administration. He also holds an "A" coaching license and is a Level I and II certified goalkeeping instructor with the NSCAA.

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Paul Souders

Paul Souders joined the men’s soccer staff in the spring of 2016 as an assistant coach and was promoted to Associate Head Coach in the fall of 2018.

Souders has seen five of the student-athletes he's coached at UCF get selected in the MLS SuperDraft during his tenure, two of which were first round selections. Gino Vivi was taken in the first round, 23rd overall in 2023. Nick Taylor and Yanis Leerman were selected in 2022. Cal Jennings was a first round selection with the 17th overall pick in 2019, followed by Jonathan Dean with the 39th overall pick.

The sixth season of Souder's tenure with Calabrese and staff saw the Knights earn a ranked win over No. 13 Charlotte, the fourth straight year in which UCF had beat a ranked opponent and the fifth straight in earning a result. 2022 saw Lucca Dourado and Anderson Rosa receive nods to the All-Conference First Team while Vivi was a member of the Second Team and Juanvi Muñoz was named to the All-Rookie Team. Dourado, Rosa and Vivi were named to the 2022 All-East Region Second Team.

Dourado and Vivi were also members of the 2021 All-East Region Second Team and were two of six total All-Conference selections in 2021. Dourado was the lone Knight on the First Team while Vivi, Rosa, Yanis Leerman, Nick Taylor and Mauricio Villalobos all earned Second Team nods.

The fourth campaign of Souders' tenure was delayed due to the global pandemic of COVID-19. The 2020 fall season was pushed to the spring of 2021 with a shortened, 10-match, conference-only schedule. The team got off to a slow start, coming out of the gates 1-3. UCF quickly rebounded as they won six consecutive matches to earn their third straight American regular season crown. The unbeaten streak didn't stop there, as the Knights topped SMU in penalty kicks in the conference tournament semifinals before going on to defeat Tulsa 1-0 in the championship match, earning the program's first conference tournament title and securing an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which had been cut from 48 teams to 36 for the season due to COVID-19. The Knights sat dormant in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as they had earned a bye for the third straight season. They met James Madison in the second round, besting the Dukes 2-1 to advance to the team's second straight Sweet 16 appearance.

Souders helped guide UCF to their best season in program history in 2019. The Knights posted a record of 15-3-2 and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, the farthest the team had ever gone. The 15 victories ties a program high and was the highest win total in UCF’s Division I tenure. The Black and Gold posted a 6-0-1 record in conference play, making them just the third team in the history of The American to go unbeaten in conference play.

For the 2018 and 2019 campaigns, Souders and staff earned the American Athletic Conference Coaching Staff of the Year. The squad went 16 straight matches without a loss in 2019, obliterating the previous record of 10 straight matches unbeaten which was achieved in 2018. The program earned their second straight national seed ahead of the NCAA Tournament, checking in at No. 9. In the second round, the Knights defeated Missouri State by a score of 2-1 in overtime. The victory marked the first time that UCF had advanced to the third round of the tournament.

In 2018 and 2019, Souders has helped coach one of the best offenses in all of Division I. For the entirety of those two regular seasons, the Knights have been ranked top 10 in the nation in almost every offensive category including total assists, total goals, total points, scoring offense, points per game, assists per game and goals per game. They were the top team in shots per game and shots on goal per game in 2018 and led the nation in corners in 2019. UCF was also the top team in The American in all of those categories.

The accolades have piled up over the past three seasons. The Knights took home four major conference accolades in 2019. Cal Jennings won his second consecutive Offensive Player of the Year while Yannik Oettl earned his second straight nod as goalkeeper of the year. Yoni Sorokin was dubbed as the Midfielder of the Year while Gino Vivi was honored as the Rookie of the Year. The Black and Gold had five All-Conference selections in The American, including four on the first-team. Two freshman made their way onto the All-Rookie squad. The awards kept coming during the 2020-21 season as Oettl three-peated as the conference's Goalkeeper of the Year and Sorokin repeated as the Midfielder of the Year. Five Knights made the All-Conference First Team and another made the cut for the Second Team. Three rookies were named to the American's All-Rookie Team, and the team was tabbed with the conference's Fair Play Award.

Souders and company have had a hand in coaching two All-American in the past two seasons. Jennings was named to the All-American First Team in 2018 and 2019 while Yanis Leerman earned a nod to the All-American Second Team in 2020-21.

Three of UCF’s eight NCAA Tournament nods have come with Souders as a member of the staff, with the first two including hosting privileges as the Knights were the No. 14 national seed in 2018 and No. 9 in 2019. The team shattered their highest ranking in the United Soccer Coaches poll during the 2018 and 2019 campaigns, as the team set a personal best of No. 7 in 2018 and went on to climb as high as No. 5 in 2019.

Souders helped produce a two-time MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in Cal Jennings who scored 20 goals in 19 games including three hat tricks in 2018. The following season saw Jennings post 18 goals in 20 games and tally a hat trick in The American tournament semifinals.

2018 saw UCF win the conference regular season title with a 5-1-1 record in conference play. Overall, the Knights finished 13-3-3. Since becoming a Division I program, it is the fourth best record the Knights have garnered. UCF put together an impressive 8-2-3 record at the UCF Soccer Complex scoring 29 goals and grabbing 86 points. The Knights also went on a 10-match unbeaten streak, which at the time was their best in program history.

Souders and the staff produced three major award winners in 2018 (Offensive, Midfielder, Goalkeeper of the Year), seven All-Conference selections, and eight Player of the Week awards from The American. They also produced five All-Region selections and two All-Americans (Cal Jennings and Louis Perez). In addition to all the awards, the Knights capped off the regular season with a ranking of No. 9, which is the third highest in program history. Throughout the season, the Knights reached as high as No. 7.

During the 2017 season, Souders helped produce nine All-Conference selections, Offensive Player of the Year, and two NSCAA All-East Region honorees while finishing the season 8-6-2 with a 4-2-1 conference record. The Knights went on an eight-match unbeaten streak to make it to The American Conference Tournament finals. During his first year, the Knights never lost a match at home.

Souders also oversaw student-athlete academics where Matias Pyysalo was named The American’s Men’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

The two-time NSCAA Far West Region Assistant Coach of the Year spent eight seasons at New Mexico before coming to Orlando, Fla.

During a nine-year stint with the Lobos, Souders helped the program to three NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, including a run to the 2013 NCAA College Cup in Philadelphia, Pa. New Mexico’s success includes qualifying for five NCAA Tournaments, four conference championships and an undefeated (18-0-4) campaign in 2011. The Lobos posted a 101-42-21 overall and 45-18-7 league mark during that span.

While serving as associate head coach over the past seven campaigns, Souders was responsible for recruiting, academics, scheduling and coaching the offensive attack.

Academics are a point of emphasis for Souders, who aided the Lobos to a program-record 3.43 grade point average in the fall of 2013. He mentored two-time COSIDA Academic All-America selection Levi Rossi and NSCAA Scholar Athlete Kyle Venter. Lobo student-athletes have also earned eight COSIDA Academic All-Region and 27 academic all-conference honors under his guidance.

Prior to arriving at New Mexico, Souders spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Dayton, helping the Flyers to a 27-18-11 overall record. During his tenure, four former Flyers who have played professionally in North America and Europe.

Dayton finished the 2007 campaign 10-4-5 overall and advanced to the opening round of the 2007 Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Championship. The Flyers completed the season on a six-game unbeaten streak, had two players selected to the All-Atlantic 10 and NSCAA Middle Atlantic Region teams and finished No. 8 in the regional rankings.

The Dallas, Texas, native earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education at Clemson. Calabrese coached Souders during his senior campaign, which led to Souders playing in his fourth NCAA Tournament. He was a part of two NCAA Sweet 16 berths with the Tigers.

Souders also played in the U-23 United States Olympic Pool. He also has coaching experience with the New Mexico State U-16 team and served as a graduate assistant in 2004.

Souders and his wife, formerly Lindsey Gramley, have two daughters Kya and Tegan.

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Austin Nyquist

After spending the last seven years as an assistant coach with Grand Canyon and Portland, Austin Nyquist joins the UCF men’s soccer team as its newest assistant coach and recruiting coordinator ahead of the fall 2024 season, Knights head coach Scott Calabrese announced.

“It’s a privilege to join the UCF family, and I am incredibly grateful to coach Calabrese for the opportunity to join the Knights soccer program as we pursue a national championship,” Nyquist said. “The values, culture and work ethic instilled within both the staff and team are something I look forward to becoming a part of. I am thankful for the trust they put in me already and I can’t wait to get started.”

Nyquist most recently served as an assistant coach with the Grand Canyon Antelopes from 2021-23, also as the program’s assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. With Nyquist’s help, the Lopes recorded a 29-19-7 aggregate record in three seasons, including two WAC Tournament berths and the program’s first home NCAA Tournament match against Denver Nov. 18, 2021.

The Lopes also saw two players drafted in the first round of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft following Nyquist’s first season with Grand Canyon, in Esai Easley (22nd overall to Sporting Kansas City) and Justin Rasmussen (27th overall to the Portland Timbers). Easley won WAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021, while Rasmussen earned All-WAC First Team honors.

In his second season with the Lopes, Nyquist saw two players earn MLS Next Pro contracts in Shaun Joash with Huntsville City and Ben Awashie with New England Revolution II.

“I want to add value to the staff under the leadership of Scott and Paul (Souders) and find ways to contribute to the team on and off the field,” Nyquist continued. “In a broader sense, compete nationally for a national championship. That’s the goal of the program, and that’s the goal for me.”

Prior to joining GCU, Nyquist spent three seasons with Portland from 2018-21 as an assistant coach and the director of performance analysis. The Pilots recorded an aggregate 24-15-7 record in his tenure in the Pacific Northwest, including a 12-4-3 record and an NCAA Tournament Second Round berth in 2018.

During his time with Portland, Nyquist also recruited a pair of eventual 2024 MLS SuperDraft selections in Jacob Babalai (41st overall to Charlotte FC) and Buba Fofanah (81st overall to Seattle Sounders FC).

In 2018, the Pilots climbed as high as No. 7 in the nation in the United Soccer Coaches’ top 25 poll with a 10-0-3 record, representing one of two teams in the country without a loss through their 13 matches. The unbeaten streak was the longest for Portland since 1995 when the team put together 14 games without a loss.

Portland was rewarded when it received a postseason berth and a first-round home match against a UCLA squad making its 45th playoff appearance. The game in mid-November was the first home playoff contest for the Pilots since 2002, and the win was Portland’s first in the playoffs since 2009 and its first at home since 2002.

In 2019, Nyquist’s Pilots saw six players earn All-WCC honors, and three earned All-West Region selections.

In his recruiting role, Nyquist has had four top 15 recruiting classes via TopDrawerSoccer. With Portland, his classes ranked 8th in 2019, 4th in 2020 and 3rd in 2021. His first season at GCU during the summer of 2021, Nyquist brought the 14th best recruiting class to Phoenix en route to an NCAA Tournament berth. The 2022 GCU class ranked 21st in the country as well, with a group that went 2-1-1 against teams ranked or receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll. A part of that class was Bright Nutornutsi, who has garnered All-WAC Freshman Team (2022) and All-WAC First Team (2023) honors as a Lope.

Nyquist has coached multiple players who have advanced to the professional ranks, including Benji Mitchell (2018/Orlando City Homegrown), Rey Ortiz (2020 FC Cincinatti draft pick), Delentze Pierre (2023 Real Salt Lake Homegrown) and Brandon Cambridge (2023 Charlotte FC draft pick) while at Portland. In addition, he coached goalkeeper Nico Campuzano at Portland who signed an MLS Next Pro contract with New England Revolution II.

Prior to joining Portland during the summer of 2018, Nyquist spent the 2017 season scouting collegiately for Chicago Fire of the MLS, as well as coaching for North Carolina FC. During the 2016 season he worked as the director of performance analysis for the University of North Carolina’s men’s soccer program.

For the 2015-16 season Nyquist was an assistant coach at Robert Morris University, in Chicago, Ill. He was responsible for developing and leading training sessions, scouting and presenting technical/video reports on future opponents, conducting analysis of both individual and team performance, game day coaching, and management.

Nyquist has also spent time in youth development programs, including coaching with New York Red Bulls and Chicago Fire.

He played collegiately at Seton Hall (2006-08) and Wisconsin (2008-10). Owner of a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious studies from Wisconsin, Nyquist earned the A License from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), and the Premier Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

“To be a part of a program where it’s not wishful thinking to think you can pursue a national championship is very enticing for me, with my ambition and competitiveness in soccer,” Nyquist said. “I hope to add the ability to recruit and build relationships with players on and off the field.”