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Roushandel Goal Lifts UCF over Charleston at Fall Classic

Stats

Sept. 21, 2007

Final Stats

UCF-Charleston Box Score in PDF Format
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Stetson-Wofford Box Score in PDF Format
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ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - A late goal by junior Ryan Roushandel (Atlanta, Ga./Marist School) gave the UCF men's soccer team a 3-2 victory over the previously unbeaten College of Charleston in the first round at the UCF Fall Classic on Friday night.

"It is good to get a win at home, especially against a formidable, well-coached Charleston team, who battles for the full 90 minutes," said UCF head coach Bryan Cunningham, whose team improved to 3-3-1 on the year. "We knew going into the match that we would have to be focused the entire game because this is the way these matches go against a top South Region opponent."

After sophomore Kareem Yearwood put the Cougars (6-1-0) on the board first with a goal in the 14th minute, UCF senior James George (New Castle, Australia) countered, sending the ball into the left corner on free kick 10 minutes later.

With four minutes remaining to play in the first period, junior Tyler Davis (Safety Harbor, Fla./Berkley Prep) had a chance to give the Knights the edge but his shot went just wide and score remained tied 1-1 at intermission.

UCF also had an opportunity to take the lead in the 49th minute when junior Mike Mattson (Boca Raton, Fla./Pope John Paul II HS) sent a header toward Charleston's goal with goalkeeper Corbin Waller out of position, but a Cougar defender cleared the ball.

Yearwood put his team up 2-1 in the 72nd minute before UCF sophomore Cam Jordan (Fort Wayne, Ind./Canterbury HS) corralled a deflection off a defender to net his first goal of the year in the 78th minute. Mattson assisted with the original cross into the box.

Benefiting from the depth on their bench, the Knights continued to earn quality scoring chances, but it was Roushandel who recorded the deciding goal in the 79th minute when he served a ball that dropped behind Waller.

"We were able to utilize our guys on the bench who haven't seen a lot of significant minutes lately, so we had some fresh legs," said Cunningham. "Every guy who came in off the bench had an impact on this game. That is what we need in order to be successful."

UCF finished the game with a slight 16-13 advantage in shots. Knights' goalkeeper Sean Johnson (Lilburn, Ga./Brookwood HS) made four saves on the night, while Waller, who had only allowed one goal in six matches prior to Friday's match, stopped eight shots.

The Knights were ranked No. 10 in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America South Region poll, while Charleston was voted No. 7.

In the earlier weather-delayed match, Stetson (4-2-0) used three goals in the second half to earn a 3-1 win over Wofford (2-3-1). All of the Hatters' tallies came after the 60th minute as Tanner Wolfe, Eugene Starikov and Kirk Labush each scored. Moe Kelli got the lone goal for the Terriers.

The UCF Fall Classic continues on Sunday, Sept. 23 when Stetson takes on Charleston at noon followed by UCF versus Wofford at 2:30 p.m. Admission to all UCF home soccer matches is free. Parking is available for $5 in Garage F.

For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pics.