Whidden set a career-high with her five-point affair against the Panthers (12-6-3). Already ranked in the top six on UCF’s career goals chart with 33, she moved into a tie for eighth all-time with 77 points.
While Whidden was busy lighting up the scoreboard, sophomore keeper Aline Reis was dominant once again. The Brazilian amassed seven saves to post UCF’s first shutout victory in the NCAA Tournament since 1999 (1-0 over Furman). She was faced off against UWM’s Sarah Hagen, the nation’s leading goal scorer, and Hagen placed four shots on goal, all saved by Reis. It was Reis’ seventh shutout in 2009 and her 13th in two campaigns in a Black and Gold jersey.
UCF will now be attempting to get past the Second Round for the first time since 1987 when it meets the Sun Devils or the Badgers Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.