Nov. 15, 2004
ORLANDO - When the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament bracket was announced on Monday afternoon, UCF (10-6-2) discovered that it will face a familiar foe in in-state rival and No.21 ranked Florida International (11-6-0) in the first round. The match-up is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19 in Miami.
It is the third time in three years that the Golden Knights and Golden Panthers will meet in the NCAA College Cup.
"I am happy that we are playing FIU because in the past we haven't played that well against them," said senior midfielder/defender Jaime Planells after selections were announced live on ESPN News. "It's a good way represent the Atlantic Sun. I'm really excited and I just hope we do well."
The Golden Knights earned the right to play in the NCAA Tournament after winning their third consecutive A-Sun Conference Tournament with a 1-0 win over Mercer on Saturday night. They won't be able to dwell on that accomplishment as the team prepares for Friday's game. UCF and FIU met just two weeks ago in the Knights' regular season finale on Nov. 7 with the Golden Panthers earning a 3-0 win.
"I think this game we're going to play more defensively," said Planells. "Rather than come straight at them, we'll sit back more and use more of a counter attack. I think it will benefit us more."
The Knights have gone 6-21-3 all-time against the Golden Panthers.
The winner of the UCF-FIU match-up will advance to play the tournament's No.1 seed Wake Forest.