Oct. 3, 2007
UCF-Charlotte Box Score in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Charlotte used three first-half goals, including a pair by junior Chris Salvaggione, to earn a 3-0 victory over UCF in men's soccer action at the UCF Soccer Complex on Wednesday night.
With just over a minute gone in the first half, Salvaggione gave the 49ers (6-3-0) an early lead when he connected on a cross from redshirt junior Kent Long. UCF rookie Matt Luzunaris (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./West Boca Raton HS) attempted to tie the game in the sixth minute but his header sailed over the cross bar.
Salvaggione then tallied an assist on Charlotte's second goal, passing the ball across the box to senior Tom Woollard, who found the back of net in the 27th minute. Four minutes later, Salvaggione scored his second goal of the night with an assist to freshman Will Shull.
The Knights continued to find chances, but couldn't finish, including an attempt on a header by sophomore Seung Tak Nam (Seoul, South Korea) in the 39th minute that also went high.
In the second half, UCF put Charlotte goalkeeper David Martin (five saves) to work as the hosts outshot the visitors, 14-4. Luzunaris had another attempt go wide in the 57th minute, while senior Philip Michael Hall (Clermont, Fla./Eastridge HS) forced Martin to make a point blank save in the 65th minute.
"We played a very good second half, but we still couldn't break through and score," said Cunningham, whose Knights move to 4-5-1. "It's too hard to dig out against a good opponent like Charlotte when you are down 3-0. They stuck with their game plan and finished their chances to earn the win."
UCF finished with a 23-9 advantage in shots and freshman goalkeeper Sean Johnson (Lilburn, Ga./Brookwood HS) made two saves.
The Knights return to action on Oct. 6 when they visit Conference USA rival, No. 11 SMU at 8 p.m. ET. It will be the second time in a week that UCF faces a nationally ranked opponent as the team traveled to No. 14 Saint Louis on Sept. 29.
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.