Harvard opened its weekend slate on Friday night in Orlando in disappointing fashion against defending Conference USA champion UCF. Riding a three-game winning streak, the Knights did not let up for their matchup with the Crimson.

UCF got off to a hot start, scoring its first of three goals in the eighth minute when Katie Jackson finished a pass from Kim Newsome in front of the net.

The Knights struck again 20 minutes later, this time off a header from Bianca Joswiak to take the commanding 2-0 lead.

The Crimson, missing top scorer and co-captain Katherine Sheeleigh due to a minor injury, failed to respond offensively, registering just two shots on goal in 90 minutes.

Harvard had its first chance to get on the scoreboard in the 56th minute when freshman Peyton Johnson—coming off a goal and an assist last weekend—took a shot that was knocked away by UCF goalkeeper Aline Reis.

Yau also managed to put a shot on target, but backup goalie Jaclyn Meade came up with a save of her own to keep the Crimson scoreless for the first time this season.

Joswiak added her second score of the contest early in the second half, sealing the 3-0 victory for the Knights.

“Friday’s game wasn’t our best game,” Millet said. “I think it didn’t really go as we hoped it would.”

—Staff writer Martin Kessler can be reached at martin.kessler@college.harvard.edu.