Andrea Rodrigues, a redshirt junior on the UCF women's soccer team, scored a goal and dished an assist Wednesday to help Portugal to a 6-0 win over Armenia in Cartaxo, Portugal, in qualifying play for the UEFA Women's EURO 2013.

 

Rodrigues reported to camp on Feb. 9 and spent the next five days in two-a-day training sessions. As a forward, she played all 90 minutes of the victory and shined in the second half of play. Rodrigues assisted the third goal of the game in the 46th minute before scoring 12 minutes later off a header from a cross.

 

"This has always been a huge dream of mine to represent the country of Portugal. It's an honor," Rodrigues said. "I was pretty nervous because they had high expectations for me from last game, but I did pretty well."

 

Rodrigues totaled two goals and one assist as Portugal set a national team scoring record in its 8-0 victory over Armenia in her last outing with the team on Sept. 17. Wednesday's match marked the fifth game Rodrigues has suited up for Team Portugal since joining the squad in 2010.

 

Rodrigues attended St. Petersburg High School, and she owns passports for Portugal, Brazil and the United States. In UCF's successful 2011 season, Rodrigues started 19 of 21 games and finished the year with one goal and three assists.

 

Portugal plays the Czech Republic on March 31, but Rodrigues hopes to be invited to participate in the Algarve Cup before then. The 19th annual tournament, which includes teams like Japan, Germany and the United States, takes place on Feb. 29-March 7, and Portugal will face Wales in the opening round.