TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama women's soccer team silenced the UCF Knights, 3-0, in a friendly exhibition match Sunday afternoon at the Alabama Soccer Stadium. The Crimson Tide's three goals from sophomore Riley Mattingly , freshman Carly Wyatt and junior Casey Wertz paired with Alabama's defense dominated UCF, limiting them to only three shots.

"I am super pleased," head coach Wes Hart said. "Obviously anytime you can get a win, it's the ultimate goal. We want to try to win every game we can. The big thing we were stressing was the energy we bring and pressing. Even on a hot afternoon, we showed an ability to work and press. Ultimately, that was the difference."

Alabama started the game strong in the first half registering eight shots and connecting on two. In the 16th minute, Mattingly netted the first goal of the afternoon, followed by Wyatt, knocking in her first goal on the pitch to give the Tide a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period. Alabama's defense put up a strong front preventing the Knights to only two shot attempts.

In the second half, the Tide maintained the lead registering four shots with one on goal and stopped UCF from scoring for the second time, allowing only one shot.

In the 50th minute, Wertz launched a penalty kick to increase Alabama's lead to three.

"We rattled them a little bit," Hart said. "They (UCF) are a possession-oriented team, a team that wants to establish possession and keep the ball. I think we disrupted their rhythm."

Alabama will play its second and final exhibition game Saturday Aug. 17. They will host South Alabama at 6 p.m. CT at the Alabama Soccer Stadium. Admission is free for all home games.

Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaSoccer on Twitter and Facebook and AlabamaSoccer on Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.