Sept. 15, 2005
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ORLANDO - The UCF men's soccer team focuses on keeping its three-game winning streak in tact when it hosts No. 23 Davidson and Hofstra in the adidas Classic this weekend. The Golden Knights (3-0) face the nationally ranked Wildcats (3-1-1) on Friday at 7 p.m. before squaring off against the Pride (3-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m.
UCF improved to 3-0 on the season after shutting down in-state rival Stetson, 1-0, on Sept. 13 and are currently ranked No. 10 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America South Region Poll.
Tickets for the classic 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 DAVIDSON After opening the season with a No. 22 ranking in the Soccer America Men's Top 25, the Wildcats dropped a spot due to a 2-2 double overtime tie with UMBC on Sept. 11. They followed that with a 2-1 loss to Campbell two days later.
Davidson's offense is led by senior Matt Allen and sophomore Robby Hoak, who have both recorded three goals and an assist for seven points. Two of Allen's tallies have been game-winners. Junior Cass Baltz also has two goals to his credit.
In net, freshman Ben Ashton has started and gone the distance in all five matches with a 1.31 goals-against-average. He earned his first collegiate shutout with the 2-0 win over in-state rival UNC-Wilmington.
SERIES RECORD UCF owns a 1-0 lead in the series against Davidson after earning a 3-2 win in the Tar Heel State on Oct. 5, 1997.
SCOUTING HOFSTRA The Pride brings a 3-1 record and a two-game winning streak to Orlando, where the team will open the adidas Classic against Jacksonville on Friday. Hofstra most recently handed Marist a 3-2 loss in double overtime behind two goals and an assist by junior Constantinos Christoudias.
Leading the Pride in scoring is senior Michael Todd with three goals and an assist for seven points, while his senior goalkeeper Matthias Gumbrecht has posted a 1.20 goals-against-average in three matches.
SERIES RECORD Sunday marks the first time that UCF and Hofstra have met on the turf.
ON THE NATIONAL SCENE In matches played through Sept. 11, the Golden Knights are ranked nationally in several categories both as a team and individually. UCF was listed at 14th in the nation in shots on goal save percentage (.909) and was one of 49 schools with an undefeated record.
Among the players ranked was sophomore Adham Rashwan. His one goal per match ratio landed him in 15th, while senior captain Billy Judino was fourth with one assist per game. Senior goalkeeper Ryan McIntosh was also 15th in shots on goal save percentage (.909).
BALANCING ACT The Golden Knights' offense continues to be well-balanced as only Adham Rashwan has scored more than one goal. Also contributing on the scoreboard are senior Jon Imran, junior Alejandro Gessen, sophomore Islam Rashwan and freshman Mike Mattson.
SHOT CLOCK In keeping with the traditions of the past, UCF is outshooting its opponents 44-22 thus far this season. The last time the Golden Knights were outshot was during the 2000 season when opponents had a 288-220 advantage.
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN 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 60 matches, he has collected six goals and 17 assists for 29 points. His 17 assists ties him with Remi Harriz for 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 made two saves in the win over Stetson on Sept. 13 to move ahead of Didier Mendard on UCF's career saves list. With 299 during his career, McIntosh sits in second. Three-time All-American Rick Brantincevic is first with 444 saves.
With the shutout against the Hatters, McIntosh posted his 20th career shutout and moved one closer to tying Brantincevic (21) in second place.
McIntosh has started 65 consecutive matches in goal since his freshman year.
AN HONORABLE MENTION 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.