University of Georgia Athletics
Thursday, August 24
Athens, Ga.
6 p.m.
University of Georgia
vs
UCF
Georgia Hosts No. 22 UCF in Home Opener Thursday
August 23, 2023 | Soccer
Georgia (0-1-0, 0-0-0 SEC) vs. No. 22 UCF (1-0-0, 0-0-0 Big 12)
Date: Thursday, Aug. 24
Time: 6 p.m. EDT
Location: Athens, Ga.
Site: Turner Soccer Complex (1,682)
MEDIA INFORMATION
Live Stream: SEC Network+
Live Stats: GeorgiaDogs.com
X: @UGASoccer
Instagram: @UGASoccer
Social Media: For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
QUICK KICKS
Home Sweet Home
Following an opening loss to No. 1 UCLA, Georgia opens its 2023 home schedule with a matchup against No. 22 UCF at Turner Soccer Complex. The Bulldogs fell, 2-0, last Thursday in Westwood before their scheduled match against USC was canceled due to Hurricane Hilary. Georgia only mustered three shots against the Bruins, but goalkeeper Jordan Brown tied her career high with six saves.
Knight Knotes
While Thursday's affair only marks the sixth meeting between Georgia and UCF, the programs share a decent amount of history. Georgia's first head coach, Bill Barker, came to Athens after serving in the same role at UCF from 1988-92. In the teams' first meeting in 1997, Georgia earned its first overtime victory in program history with a 2-1 win in Orlando. The last meeting between the schools was a 2-1 Knights win in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
Year Two for McAlpine
McAlpine returns for his second season in Athens, following an outstanding debut campaign which saw Georgia reach the SEC semifinals and host an NCAA Tournament match for the first time since 2007. The 2023 Bulldogs return six starters and 14 letterwinners from last year's team, including All-Region defender Madison Haugen and SEC All-Tournament goalkeeper Jordan Brown. McAlpine himself stands only five wins away from 200 in his career.
Top Dawg
Georgia bolstered its lineup this offseason with the addition of graduate midfielder Croix Bethune from USC. The Alpharetta native has been named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Team and Pac-12 Midfielder of the Year each of the past two seasons, along with being named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2011. Bethune left the Trojans after tallying 27 career goals and 24 assists, both top-10 figures in program history. Top Drawer Soccer named Bethune the No. 1 collegiate player in the country for the second-consecutive preseason.
Portal Pick-Ups
Bethune was one of five transfers added to the roster by McAlpine. She was joined by USC teammate Hannah White, who scored five career goals and is the step-sister of Georgia senior forward Tori Penn. Midfielders Aly Akers (Notre Dame) and Summer Denigan (Florida State) add considerable depth to the position group, while fellow midfielder Nicole Vernis finally joins the lineup after sitting out last season following a transfer from Florida. The Bulldogs' transfer class was named third in the nation by the WoSo Independent.
A Stout Schedule
Georgia will face one of the nation's toughest schedules in 2023, beginning with a road match against No. 1 UCLA, followed by a home opener with No. 22 UCF. The Bulldogs will face 15 Power 5 opponents, including currently ranked Clemson, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and South Carolina. WoSo Independent rated the schedule as the 10th-hardest nationally.
Preseason Plaudits
Bethune and senior defender Madison Haugen were both named to the United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch List after earning All-District honors in 2022. The pair was joined by teammates White, Vernis, Brown, Ellie Gilbert, and Morgan Hart on the SEC Preseason Watch List, the most of any school in the conference. The Bulldogs were also picked to finish fourth in the SEC coaches poll, which would match the program's best finish since tying for second in 2008.
Up Next
Georgia remains home next Thursday to face Minnesota at 6 p.m. at the Turner Soccer Complex.
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Free Admission: All matches at Turner Soccer Complex are free. No tickets are required for admission.
Parking: Due to construction at the Turner Soccer Complex, parking is first-come, first-serve and carpooling is encouraged. Overflow crowds will park at the Park & Ride (E23) lot on College Station Road with non-stop shuttle service throughout the match.
Entrance: Spectators will only be able to enter the Turner Soccer Complex on the first base side of Jack Turner Stadium. Gates will open one hour prior to kickoff.
Clear Bags: The UGA Clear Bag policy will be in effect for all home matches.
Prohibited Items: Umbrellas and outside noise makers are not permitted at Turner Soccer Complex.
Sustainability: Turner Soccer Complex is on a journey to become a zero-waste facility for the 2023 season.
Concessions: Concessions will be available via cashless/contactless payment.
Merchandise: The UGA Bookstore will be selling merchandise on site.
Date: Thursday, Aug. 24
Time: 6 p.m. EDT
Location: Athens, Ga.
Site: Turner Soccer Complex (1,682)
MEDIA INFORMATION
Live Stream: SEC Network+
Live Stats: GeorgiaDogs.com
X: @UGASoccer
Instagram: @UGASoccer
Social Media: For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
QUICK KICKS
Home Sweet Home
Following an opening loss to No. 1 UCLA, Georgia opens its 2023 home schedule with a matchup against No. 22 UCF at Turner Soccer Complex. The Bulldogs fell, 2-0, last Thursday in Westwood before their scheduled match against USC was canceled due to Hurricane Hilary. Georgia only mustered three shots against the Bruins, but goalkeeper Jordan Brown tied her career high with six saves.
Knight Knotes
While Thursday's affair only marks the sixth meeting between Georgia and UCF, the programs share a decent amount of history. Georgia's first head coach, Bill Barker, came to Athens after serving in the same role at UCF from 1988-92. In the teams' first meeting in 1997, Georgia earned its first overtime victory in program history with a 2-1 win in Orlando. The last meeting between the schools was a 2-1 Knights win in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
Year Two for McAlpine
McAlpine returns for his second season in Athens, following an outstanding debut campaign which saw Georgia reach the SEC semifinals and host an NCAA Tournament match for the first time since 2007. The 2023 Bulldogs return six starters and 14 letterwinners from last year's team, including All-Region defender Madison Haugen and SEC All-Tournament goalkeeper Jordan Brown. McAlpine himself stands only five wins away from 200 in his career.
Top Dawg
Georgia bolstered its lineup this offseason with the addition of graduate midfielder Croix Bethune from USC. The Alpharetta native has been named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Team and Pac-12 Midfielder of the Year each of the past two seasons, along with being named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2011. Bethune left the Trojans after tallying 27 career goals and 24 assists, both top-10 figures in program history. Top Drawer Soccer named Bethune the No. 1 collegiate player in the country for the second-consecutive preseason.
Portal Pick-Ups
Bethune was one of five transfers added to the roster by McAlpine. She was joined by USC teammate Hannah White, who scored five career goals and is the step-sister of Georgia senior forward Tori Penn. Midfielders Aly Akers (Notre Dame) and Summer Denigan (Florida State) add considerable depth to the position group, while fellow midfielder Nicole Vernis finally joins the lineup after sitting out last season following a transfer from Florida. The Bulldogs' transfer class was named third in the nation by the WoSo Independent.
A Stout Schedule
Georgia will face one of the nation's toughest schedules in 2023, beginning with a road match against No. 1 UCLA, followed by a home opener with No. 22 UCF. The Bulldogs will face 15 Power 5 opponents, including currently ranked Clemson, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and South Carolina. WoSo Independent rated the schedule as the 10th-hardest nationally.
Preseason Plaudits
Bethune and senior defender Madison Haugen were both named to the United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch List after earning All-District honors in 2022. The pair was joined by teammates White, Vernis, Brown, Ellie Gilbert, and Morgan Hart on the SEC Preseason Watch List, the most of any school in the conference. The Bulldogs were also picked to finish fourth in the SEC coaches poll, which would match the program's best finish since tying for second in 2008.
Up Next
Georgia remains home next Thursday to face Minnesota at 6 p.m. at the Turner Soccer Complex.
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Free Admission: All matches at Turner Soccer Complex are free. No tickets are required for admission.
Parking: Due to construction at the Turner Soccer Complex, parking is first-come, first-serve and carpooling is encouraged. Overflow crowds will park at the Park & Ride (E23) lot on College Station Road with non-stop shuttle service throughout the match.
Entrance: Spectators will only be able to enter the Turner Soccer Complex on the first base side of Jack Turner Stadium. Gates will open one hour prior to kickoff.
Clear Bags: The UGA Clear Bag policy will be in effect for all home matches.
Prohibited Items: Umbrellas and outside noise makers are not permitted at Turner Soccer Complex.
Sustainability: Turner Soccer Complex is on a journey to become a zero-waste facility for the 2023 season.
Concessions: Concessions will be available via cashless/contactless payment.
Merchandise: The UGA Bookstore will be selling merchandise on site.
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
/ Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Soccer
Midfielder
/ Soccer
Midfielder
/ Soccer
Defender
/ Soccer
Defender
/ Soccer
Midfielder
/ Soccer
Forward
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