WOMEN’S SOCCER IN THE UCF ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME The UCF Athle cs Hall of Fame was established in 1998 to honor those individuals who, through their demonstrated athle cs achievement or service, have dis nguished themselves and the University of Central Florida. Below are the five representa ves from the women’s soccer program currently in the hall of fame: Michelle Akers, Amy Allmann, Kelly Kochevar, Karen Richter and Jim Rudy.
MICHELLE AKERS UCF Women’s Soccer: 1984, 1986-88 Class of 1998 Michelle Akers, regarded by many as the best female soccer player in the world during her career, was a four- me All-America selec on at UCF. She was the recipient of the first Hermann Award for women in 1988, soccer’s version of the Heisman Trophy. She led UCF to three NCAA Tournaments, including a berth in the Final Four in 1987. She went on to play professionally in Sweden a er gradua on and was
a long- me member of the U.S. Na onal Team. In 1991 she led the U.S. to its first Women’s World Cup Championship, earning the Golden Boot as the tournament’s leading scorer. She was a vital part of the gold medal-winning U.S. Na onal squad in the Olympics in 1996 and the World Cup team in 1999. In 1999, she was also named the FIFA Women’s Player of the Century.
AM Y ALLMANN UCF Women’s Soccer: 1984-87 Class of 1999 Amy Allmann was a star ng goalkeeper during her career at UCF, which culminated with her being named NCAA Goalkeeper of the Year in 1987. That same year she helped UCF reach the Final Four. A versa le
athlete, Allmann also competed in cross country and rowing while at UCF. She went on to compete for the U.S. Na onal Team that won the Women’s World Cup in 1991.
KELLY KOCHEVAR UCF Women’s Soccer: 1991-94 Class of 2008 Kelly Kochevar helped UCF build upon its success in the 1980s by guiding the Knights from 1991-94. The forward was part of the 1991 squad that reached the NCAA Tournament, as well as the 1993 and 1994 teams that were the first to play a conference schedule in school history. Those two seasons witnessed Kochevar and the Knights claim two conference
tles. Kochevar finished her career as UCF’s all- me leading goal scorer with 53 tallies, and she also s ll ranks first in game-winning goals with 20, including a season-high seven in 1991. The school’s single-match record-holder in goals (five) and points (10), Kochevar received Soccer America All-Freshman and NSCAA AllSoutheast Region recogni on in 1991.
KAREN RICHTER UCF Women’s Soccer: 1987-90 Class of 2000 Karen Richter played from 1987-90, earning adidas/ ISAA and NCAA Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 1990. In 1989, she was named to the Soccer America MVP Team and the adidas scholar-athlete team in 1989 and 1990. She set the school record for lowest
career goals-against average (0.59), lowest singleseason goals-against average (0.25) and career shutouts (30.5). As a junior she led the team to an 111-2 record and allowed only four goals in 14 games.
J I M RUDY UCF Women’s Soccer Coach: 1981-87 Class of 2001 Jim Rudy coached the men’s soccer team from 1975-87 and the women’s team from 1981-87. He started the women’s soccer program and led it to four postseason appearances in seven years and a 73-22-6 overall record. His teams advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament twice, including an appearance in the first NCAA championship game in 1982. His 1981
squad finished runner up in the AIAW, the forerunner to the NCAA. He coached nine All-Americans, and finished his career as the winningest coach in the history of UCF men’s soccer with a 129-58-18 record and two NCAA Tournament appearances. He coached three All-Americans on the men’s side, including UCF Athle cs Hall of Fame inductee Winston DuBose.