IRVING, Texas – UCF redshirt freshman defender Jada Silvest has been named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after helping lead the Knights to a 2-0 shutout victory over No. 24 Georgia.
In Sunday’s win over the ranked Bulldogs, Silvest was a key contributor from the Black and Gold’s backline by starting and playing all 90 minutes. She also helped lead to UCF’s second goal of the match, as she fed a deep pass from near midfield to Chloe Netzel at the top of the box for Netzel’s sixth goal of the season in the 48th minute. The assist marked Silvest’s first of the season and the first of her career.
Silvest has played and started in all four matches on the year for the Black and Gold. She is one of two Knights to have played all 360 minutes on the pitch this season.
The weekly conference honor marks the first of the season for UCF as well as the first of Silvest’s career.
Texas Tech’s Peyton Parsons was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, while Oklahoma State’s Grace Gordon was the Goalkeeper of the Week, and Arizona State’s Kierra Blundell and Cincinnati’s Rylee Felton shared Freshman of the Week honors.
The Knights, who are currently receiving votes for this week’s United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll, will head to Tampa for their final non-conference match of the season on Thursday at South Florida. The contest is set for a 7 p.m. start and will air live on ESPN+.
