Sept. 24, 2005
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ORLANDO - After starting the season with a six-game homestand, the UCF men's soccer team (4-2) visits North Florida (0-4-1) for its first road match of 2005.
Sunday's match marks UCF's second consecutive contest against an Atlantic Sun Conference opponent. On Thursday, the Golden Knights defeated rival Florida Atlantic, 2-1, behind a goal and an assist by senior captain Billy Judino. The win halted a two-game losing streak.
SCOUTING NORTH FLORIDA While UCF has enjoyed the six consecutive home matches to start the season, the Ospreys started their year with five on the road and posted a 0-4-1 mark as a result. Among their losses was an 8-0 shutout by then No. 24 ranked Loyola Marymount at the UC-Irvine Invitational.
UNF joined the NCAA Division I ranks prior to the 2005-06 season and are members of the A-Sun. As a result of their young program, the team's roster features 11 freshmen, eight sophomores, two juniors and one senior.
Leading the Ospreys offensively is freshman Rohan Culley, who has a team-high three goals. Sophomore goalkeeper Michael Frost has played all five matches in net and owns a 3.83 goals-against-average.
SERIES RECORD Sunday marks the first time that UCF and their neighbors to the north will meet on the turf.
ALL FOR ONE Five of UCF's first six games were decided by a goal. The Golden Knights have a 3-2 record in those games with the only two losses coming on 1-0 decisions against then No. 23 Davidson and Hofstra during the UCF adidas Classic.
The sixth match was a 4-1 UCF win over Central Connecticut.
UCF IN CONFERENCE USA Several Golden Knights were ranked among the best in C-USA through games of Sept. 19. Senior goalkeeper Ryan McIntosh led the league in goals-against-average (.60) and save percentage (.880), while he was second in shutouts (2) and fifth in saves-per-game (4.4).
Offensively, Billy Judino was tied for fourth in assists (3) and fifth in assists per game (.60). Senior Jon Imran, junior Alejandro Gessen and sophomore Adham Rashwan were tied with a multitude of other players for third in game-winning goals with one each.
ON THE NATIONAL SCENE As of the NCAA's last statistical release on Sept. 20, UCF and Ryan McIntosh were both listed among the nation's best in save percentage (.880). The team is 13th, while McIntosh as an individual was ranked 17th.
BALANCING ACT The Golden Knights' offense has been well-balanced in the early stages of the season as only Adham Rashwan and freshman Mike Mattson have scored more than one goal. Also contributing on the scoreboard are seniors Billy Judino and Jon Imran, junior Alejandro Gessen and sophomore Islam Rashwan.
SHOT CLOCK In keeping with the traditions of the past, UCF is outshooting its opponents 83-53 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 62 matches, he has collected six goals and 17 assists for 29 points. With the assist on Matton's goal against FAU, Judino moves into sole possession of eighth place on the career leaders list.
BIG MAC Joining Billy Judino as the only two players on the roster that have played all four seasons at UCF, Ryan McIntosh has also made his mark in the program and has left his name in the record books. The Cooper City native made two saves in the win over Stetson on Sept. 13 to move ahead of Didier Mendard on UCF's career saves list. With 318 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 68 consecutive matches in goal since his freshman year. He also became the first UCF Athlete to be honored by Conference USA when he was tapped as the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 7.
FRESHMAN FRENZY With six true freshmen 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 Connecticut and is currently tied for first on the team in goal scoring with two, Another forward Tyler Davis assisted on 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. In addition, Bryan Haisley and Jermaine Walters have seen time on the UCF attack.