Oct. 25, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Paola da Silva came off the bench to score two goals in a 10-minute span in the second half, leading visiting SMU (9-4-2, 2-3-0 C-USA) to a 2-0 victory over UCF (6-9-0, 3-4-0 C-USA) in Conference USA men's soccer action Saturday night at the UCF Soccer Complex. The game featured impressive goalkeeping from both teams as SMU's Craig Hill and UCF's Sean Johnson (Lilburn, Ga.) combined for 22 saves.
Johnson, a 6-4 sophomore, set a new team record for saves at the UCF Soccer Complex, stopping 14 shots in goal for the Knights. The total is also tied for the sixth-highest single-game total in the program's history and the most in a Conference USA game.
"Their record does not show it but they are one of the best teams in the country," head coach Bryan Cunningham said of a Mustang team that has been ranked as high as second nationally this season. "We knew it was a formidable opponent, we knew it was going to be a good game and to date that is arguably the best team we have faced."
After a high-octane first half which featured 22 total shots but zero goals, da Silva came off the bench to start the second half for SMU. The senior forward immediately made an impact in the 53rd minute, scoring on a free kick from 32 yards out.
Less than two minutes later, da Silva was the beneficiary of a string of nice passes, taking a cross from Diogo de Almedia and finding an open net for a 2-0 lead. Gabe Arredondo also tallied an assist on the play.
With just under 10 minutes to play, UCF appeared to cut into the lead, but an apparent goal off a corner kick was disallowed because of a foul on the Knights.
The opening half was full of offense, but exceptional defense from the respective teams' goalkeepers kept the contest scoreless at the break. The visiting Mustangs fired 15 shots in the first 45 minutes alone, constantly testing Johnson.
In the ninth minute, Johnson stopped consecutive shots from Arthur Ivo and Jeff Harwell in a six-second span. Johnson was again tested in the 17th minute. This time Manuel Mariel got behind the UCF defense and sent a bullet towards net that was blocked away by Johnson.
"Sean played exceptionally tonight," said Cunningham. "I told our players after the game I have never seen that type of performance before from a goalkeeper. It is unfortunate we could not have helped him on the other end."
UCF had a significant threat to score before the halftime horn in the 40th minute, when freshman Joe Crowley found a cutting Ryan Roushandel (Atlanta, Ga.). The senior's shot was header to net before Hill deflected the ball away.
SMU finished the game with a 28-14 edge in shots, including a 16-8 advantage in shots on goal. Bryan Collier (Fayetteville, Ga.) led UCF with four shots total and three shots on goal.
After playing eight games in 25 days, UCF will finally get some significant time off before playing its next game on Saturday, Nov. 1. The Knights will host Florida Atlantic in a non-conference game at 7 p.m. It is the last home contest of 2008 and seniors Chris Andaur, Bryan Collier and Ryan Roushandel will be honored.
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.
Men's Soccer Game Summary (Final)
SMU vs UCF (Oct 25, 2008 at Orlando, Fla.)
SMU (9-4-2, 2-3-1 C-USA) vs. UCF (6-9-2, 3-4-0 C-USA)
Date: Oct 25, 2008 Attendance: 439
Weather: 76, sunny
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
SMU....................... 0 2 - 2
UCF....................... 0 0 - 0
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 52:21 SMU DA SILVA, Paulo (6) (unassisted) - free kick from 32 yards out; low past keeper
2. 54:19 SMU DA SILVA, Paulo (7) (ARREDONDO, Gabe;de ALMEIDA, Diogo) - through ball to cross to open net
Shots: SMU 28, UCF 14 Saves: SMU 8 (HILL, Craig 8), UCF 14 (Johnson, Sean 14)