Aug. 31, 2008
COLUMBUS, Ohio (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF men's soccer team gave ninth-ranked Ohio State all it could handle Sunday afternoon, but the host Buckeyes rallied to post a 2-1 victory in double overtime in the final game of the Ohio State Bert and Iris Wolstein Classic. The Knights fall to 0-2 on the season while Ohio State moves to 2-0.
"We came out with a lot of fight and competitive spirit," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "We went toe to toe with the number nine team in the country and were under two minutes away from a great win. We made a mistake that let them back in the game, and good teams will make you pay for that second chance."
With the game tied at 1-1 midway through the second overtime, OSU's Dave Tiemstra collected a rebound off a Tim Gabel shot and scored for the game-winner. Matt Gold chipped the ball into the box and got an assist along with Gabel.
The goal came just minutes after both teams lost players as UCF's Matt Heffernan and OSU's Doug Verhoff were both handed red cards.
Senior Chris Andaur gave the Knights the lead and their first goal of the season in the 63rd minute, scoring from in close with his first goal since the 2006 season. Heffernan earned the assist with a nice pass into the box.
"We strung together five or six nice passes, Heffernan played a great ball into the box, and Andaur finished it off for us," Cunningham said of the goal.
With the Knights leading the Buckeyes 1-0 late in the game, Ohio State's Sam Scales scored from in the box when Doug Verhoff passed in off a long throw from Gabel in the 89th minute. Scales' goal forced overtime.
Andaur's goal was UCF's lone shot on goal as the squad was outshot 22-6 in the contest, including 6-0 in the overtime sessions. The Buckeyes had 10 shots on goal.
UCF had six players go the distance as Camilo Rendon, Bryan Collier, Yaron Bacher, Spencer Scott, Kevan George and goalkeeper Sean Johnson played all 105 minutes and 19 seconds.
Johnson made eight saves in the game while Ohio State keeper Drew Czekanski earned the win despite not making a save.
Bryan Collier and Johnson represented UCF on the Bert and Iris Wolstein All-Tournament Team. Gabel was named the MVP.
"Despite the result I am extremely proud of the team and their efforts," Cunningham said. "Sean [Johnson] and Bryan [Collier] played really well for us, and we showed the kind of team we should be. We have good week of practice ahead of us to get focused and ready for Stetson."
UCF returns to action in the state of Florida on Sunday, playing in DeLand, Fla., at Stetson at 7:00 p.m.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.