Oct. 13, 2006
ORLANDO - UCF faces its toughest challenge of the season when the Golden Knights play host to No. 1 ranked SMU in Conference USA men's soccer action on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the UCF Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
For the Golden Knights (3-7-1, 1-2-1 C-USA), the match marks the fifth time this season - and the third time in two weeks - that they have met a ranked opponent. UCF made its 2006 debut at the Wake Forest Invitational, where they lost to No. 16 Wake Forest (5-0) and No. 5 North Carolina (1-0). On Oct. 4, the Golden Knights earned a 1-0 victory over No. 17 Memphis before losing to No. 18 Kentucky, 2-1, on Wednesday night. They also had a 2-2 double overtime tie with UAB, a team that has been in and out of the top 25 all season.
Sophomore Zak Boggs (Vienna, W.Va./The Pendleton School) continues to be UCF's top offensive threat as he leads the team with four goals and one assist for nine points. His classmate Marcus Rein (Scotts Valley, Calif./Edison Academic Center) has played all 11 matches in goal for the Golden Knights and has posted a 1.96 goals-against-average.
Unanimously the top-ranked team in the nation, SMU brings to Orlando a 13-0-1 overall mark and a 3-0-0 record in conference play as they defeated Tulsa, 2-0, on Wednesday night. Senior goalkeeper Matt Wideman began the week ranked fifth in the country with a 0.408 GAA and was selected as the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week for four consecutive weeks earlier in the season.
Reigning C-USA Offensive Player of the Week Adrian Chevannes leads the team with five goals and three assists for 13 points.
"We know they are a very good team, but it is our job to go out there and win the game," said UCF head coach Brent Erwin. "Like every match, our guys are going to have to give their best effort and play well. Every match you have a chance to win. Tomorrow is our chance and we're going to take advantage of the opportunity."
Erwin spent five years as an assistant under Schellas Hyndman at SMU and recruited many of the same players the Golden Knights will be facing in the match. During his tenure, the Mustangs earned an 86-19-17 record and made six NCAA Tournament appearances.
In the first-ever meeting between the two teams last year, the Mustangs escaped with a 1-0 win.
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.