Sept. 12, 2005
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
ORLANDO - After nearly a week and half hiatus from competition, the UCF men's soccer team (2-0) returns to action as it hosts in-state rival Stetson (1-3) for a mid-week match-up on Tuesday at the UCF Soccer Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Golden Knights started the 2005 season with wins over Lafayette and Central Connecticut at the UCF Kickoff Classic over Labor Day Weekend. The victories gave UCF a boost of confidence and earned the program the No. 8 ranking in the National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA) South Region poll, their first under head coach Brent Erwin.
Tickets for Tuesday's match are available at the gate. Adults are $4. Youth (ages 5-17) and seniors (ages 55+) are $2. Children under age five and UCF students with valid ID are admitted free.
Scouting Stetson Opening the season on a three-game losing streak - including two losses at the UCF Kickoff Classic, the Hatters took home their first win of year over VMI, 6-1, at the Jacksonville Invitational on Sunday. Sophomore Tanner Wolfe was the only player to score two goals and he currently leads the team with three goals and two assists for eight points. Freshman Armante Marshall has also contributed two goals and three assists for seven points.
In goal, Stetson relies on all-conference honoree Jeff Smeraglinolo, who has stopped eight shots and allowed seven in three matches. He has a 2.21 goals-against-average and a .533 save percentage.
Series Record Tuesday marks the 35th time that Stetson and UCF have met on the turf with the Golden Knights holding a 25-8-1 edge in the series. UCF also has a four-game winning streak, which dates back to a 3-1 win on Sept. 26, 2002.
An Honorable Mention Senior goalkeeper Ryan McIntosh became the first UCF athlete to be honored by Conference USA as he was tapped as the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 7. McIntosh made 10 saves and allowed only one goal in two matches at the UCF Kickoff Classic, while he also posted his 19th career shutout with a 1-0 win over Lafayette in the opening game.
Oh Captain, My Captain Senior Billy Judino was tapped as UCF's captain after an impressive preseason training camp. "Billy has really committed himself to the team," said Coach Erwin. "He has fantastic talent and even better character."
Judino's versatility has enabled him to play in various positions throughout his career at UCF. After starting the 2004 season up front, he moved to the backfield by the end of the year. In 59 matches, he has collected six goals and 16 assists for 28 points. His 16 assists rank him ninth on UCF's list for most in a career.
Big Mac Joining Judino as the only two players on the roster that have played all four seasons at UCF, McIntosh has also made his mark in the program and has left his name in the record books. The native of Cooper City is currently third in both career saves (296) and shutouts (19), while he ranks at fifth with a 1.22 goals-against-average. He is on pace to move ahead of No. 2 Didier Mendard (297) on the career saves list. McIntosh has started 64 matches in goal since his freshman year.
The Adham Advantage Sophomore forward Adham Rashwan has scored goals in every match thus far, including tallies against St. Leo and USF during the exhibition season. He scored the game-winner against Lafayette in the regular season opener and followed that by tallying UCF's third goal against Central Conn. State.
Freshman Frenzy With six true freshman on a 21-man roster, it was inevitable that rookies would figure prominently in UCF's 2005 campaign. All have logged time on the field and some have appeared in the line of scoring. Forward Mike Mattson tallied his first collegiate goal in the win over Central Conn., while another forward Tyler Davis assisted on sophomore Islam Rashwan's tally in that same match.
Others earning time on the field include defender Jake Howard, who earned a starting role out of the preseason.
Home Sweet Home The Golden Knights play seven of their eight matches at the UCF Soccer Complex during the month of September as they host two tournaments and in-state rivals Stetson and Florida Atlantic. The team caps the homestand with their Conference USA debut against Marshall on Sept. 30.
Conversely, UCF opens October at home against Kentucky before hitting the road for three tough C-USA contests at Florida International, SMU and Tulsa. The Knights return home for matches versus East Carolina and South Carolina then finish the season on the road at UAB and Memphis.