Sept. 29, 2006
ORLANDO - When the UCF men's soccer team travels to West Virginia for its Saturday match-up at Marshall, it will be a homecoming of sorts for Golden Knight Zak Boggs.
Not only does the sophomore forward and native of the Mountain State expect to see a small crowd of familiar faces in the stands, including parents Joe and Rochelle, but a few on the field as well.
"I know a few of the players on Marshall's team," said Boggs, who hails from Vienna, W.Va. and attended Parkersburg High School. "I've known [defender] Luke Strimer since junior high. He and I played on the same club team."
An 11th hour transfer from the University of West Virginia prior to this season, Boggs has become an important part of the UCF attack as he has started all eight matches thus far. Heading into the weekend, he has recorded two goals - both game-winners - and added an assist in the past three outings.
"Zak has been one of our best players this season," said UCF head coach Brent Erwin. "It is gratifying to see how hard he works to improve day-by-day and continue to add skills to his game. There is no question that he will be ready to play."
The Golden Knights (2-6-0, 0-1 C-USA) will need Boggs and his teammates to step up their play against the Thundering Herd (3-5-1, 0-1-0 C-USA) as both teams search for their first win in Conference USA. While shutting down Marshall's senior forward and preseason all-conference honoree Karim Boukhemis will be important to UCF's game plan, the Golden Knights also need to solidify their play on both ends of the field in order earn the victory.
"We have showed flashes of what our team is capable of and come agonizing close to winning," said Erwin. "We have to continue to stick to our strategy and lean on one another in tough situations. Like us, Marshall is a good, physical team. We are going to have to play at our best with intensity and enthusiasm to come away with the positive result."
The Thundering Herd leads the series against UCF, 2-1-1. During the most recent meeting on Sept. 30, 2005, the Golden Knights came back from a three-goal deficit to tie Marshall, 4-4, in double overtime.
Admission to home UCF men's soccer matches for the 2006 season is free courtesy of McDonald's. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF athletics.