Oct. 16, 2007
Men's Soccer Notes vs. Kentucky PDF Format
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ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - After a week-long break in between matches, the UCF men's soccer team looks to regain momentum for the final month of regular-season play as the Knights kick off a two-game home-stand against Conference USA rivals beginning with Kentucky on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
"Training has gone well," said UCF head coach Bryan Cunningham. "The past week gave the players a chance to refocus. They are committed to giving their best effort against Kentucky."
In addition to working on basic skills and fundamentals in practice sessions, the Knights (4-7-1, 0-2-1 C-USA) also centered their attention on another important area.
"We have spent the last week on team-building exercises," said Cunningham. "They have learned to rely upon each other and to set and accomplish goals together."
Wednesday's match, the team's C-USA home opener, marks only the fifth time this season that UCF has played at the UCF Soccer Complex and the second of three two-game home-stands. The Knights opened the fall with five of six matches on the road, but anticipate reaping the benefits of having four of the last six contests at home.
"Right now every team in the conference is trying to secure a place in the tournament," said Cunningham. "At this point, only three games separate the top from the bottom in the standings. It is important that we come out prepared to compete and get results at home."
Junior co-captain Ryan Roushandel (Atlanta, Ga./Marist School) continues to pace the Knights offensively as he enters the match against Kentucky tied for the league lead in points (14), goals (7) and game-winning goals (3). Freshman Sean Johnson (Lilburn, Ga./Brookwood HS) tops all C-USA goalkeepers, totaling 57 saves on the season.
One of three affiliate members of Conference USA, Kentucky (3-7-2, 1-2-0) sits just above UCF in the league standings with a 1-2-0 record after a 3-1 loss at Memphis on Oct. 13. Sophomore Barry Rice put the Wildcats up 1-0 before the Tigers recorded three unanswered goals. Sophomore goalkeeper Dan Williams made four saves for UK.
Rice leads the Wildcats' offense with four goals for eight points followed by sophomore Tim Crone with three goals and an assist for seven points. Williams has played all 12 matches in goal, recording 48 saves and a 1.66 goals-against-average.
The Wildcats hold a slight 2-1-1 edge in the all-time history between the two teams. The first meeting on Sept. 30, 1995 resulted in a 2-0 Kentucky win with a subsequent 1-1 double overtime tie in 2003.
Since the two schools became members of Conference USA, UCF defeated UK 2-1 at the UCF Soccer Complex in 2005 while Kentucky earned a 2-1 victory in Lexington last season.
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