The Fall 2025 season showcased the depth and momentum of UCF Athletics, with strong performances across football, volleyball, men’s soccer and women’s soccer. While each program faced its own challenges, the semester was defined by key wins, postseason appearances, and significant individual recognition, reinforcing UCF’s presence on both the conference and national stage.
UCF Football Tested by a Grueling Big 12 Schedule
UCF football faced a difficult Fall 2025 season, struggling to find consistency while navigating a relentless Big 12 schedule. Even thought The Knights started strong against non conference opponents, they would finish 5–7 overall, missing bowl eligibility as conference play exposed the challenges of competing against deeper, more established opponents. The close games, tough road environments, and limited margin for error defined much of the season, underscoring the reality of UCF’s ongoing adjustment to Big 12 competition.
Defining Matches
The Knights opened the season with a win over Jacksonville State [17-10], followed by a dominant performance against North Carolina A&T [68-7]. A home victory over North Carolina [34-9] stood out as one of the team’s most complete efforts, while road games at No.4 Texas Tech [9-48] and No. 12 BYU [21-41] highlighted the difficulty of conference play.
However, the matchup that best reflected strong on field performance alongside with huge fan support was UCF against No. 21 Houston. Played during the annual Space U game, the Knights delivered one of their most competitive outings of the season, leading for significant stretches before ultimately falling short 27-30.
Volleyball Builds Momentum in the Big 12
Competing in its third season in the Big 12, UCF volleyball continued to establish itself as a legitimate conference contender. The Knights finished with a 17–12 overall record and then 8–10 in the Big 12, reflecting growth against one of the nation’s deepest volleyball leagues.
Defining Matches
UCF opened the season with strong non-conference wins that set the tone before conference play, including victories over Chattanooga, Norfolk State, and UC Riverside. In The Big 12, the Knights would deliver home wins against Baylor and Texas Tech, proving they could compete with established conference opponents.
Honors and Recognition
The season was highlighted by a historic individual campaign from Avah Armour, who earned:
- Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year
- All-Big 12 First Team
- AVCA Southeast All-Region First Team
Armour’s recognition marked one of the most accomplished seasons by a UCF volleyball student-athlete. Additionally, Alexa Haley was named to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team, while Armour, Ella Chapman, Abby Schomers, and Reaghan Thompson earned CSC Academic All-District honors, underscoring the program’s excellence on and off the court.
Men’s Soccer Claims Conference Championship, Advances to NCAA Tournament
UCF men’s soccer put together a strong fall campaign, finishing 11–7–3 overall and go on to win the 2025 Sunbelt Conference Championship against No. 12 Marshall with a 3-1 score.
Defining Matches
The Knights’ most eye-catching result came at home with a 3–0 victory over No. 11 Georgia Southern, a match that firmly placed UCF in the national conversation. Additional highlights included a 2–0 road win at South Carolina and a gritty 1–1 draw at No. 22 South Florida. The Knights would go on to play in the NCAA Tournament after securing their spots with the Sunbelt Championship. They would win the first round 3-1 against Florida Atlantic, but ultimately they would lose the second round 0-2 against No. 15 Georgetown.
Honors and Recognition
Joey Mueller’s standout season was capped by his selection in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft in the third round by New York City FC, marking another professional milestone for UCF men’s soccer. Mueller also earned the Sun Belt Elite Award, recognizing his leadership and impact both on and off the field during the Knights’ Sun Belt Tournament championship run.
Women’s Soccer Extends Its Postseason Run with Another NCAA Tournament Appearance
UCF women’s soccer once again proved to be one of the university’s most consistent programs, closing the fall with a 12–4–5 overall record and a 5–1–5 Big 12 record. The Knights earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Defining Matches
Non-conference wins over LSU and Florida Atlantic showcased strong performances, while consistent results in Big 12 play showcased the team’s defensive discipline. In the NCAA Tournament, UCF secured a first-round victory going 2-0 against Maine, before falling to Duke with a tight 0-1 loss in the second round.
Looking Ahead
Across all four programs, UCF was highlighted as a true multisport department with the ability to compete on a national level. Volleyball and soccer continued to show dominance and passion even going through postseason runs, while football, despite its struggles, showed potential for the future and areas that could take a step forward with continued development.
As UCF moves forward, the foundation laid during the fall semester provides momentum, not just for wins and losses, but for sustained excellence across Knight Nation.
