Oct. 7, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Winners of four of its last five games, the UCF men's soccer team will look to stay unbeaten in Conference USA play Wednesday when it hosts Florida International at 7 p.m. at the UCF Soccer Complex. The Knights are currently 5-4-0 overall and 2-0-0 in league play.
After having their three-game winning streak snapped at Charlotte last Tuesday, UCF recovered Saturday, returning to conference play with a 3-1 victory at Marshall. Freshman Kyle McEntee scored two goals in the contest, including the game-winner in the 62nd minute.
"We look forward to playing at home against a very dangerous and well-coached FIU team," said head coach Bryan Cunningham. "It is an in-state rivalry and another big conference game."
The Knights' recent success has been noticed as this week UCF finds itself in the NSCAA/adidas South Region poll for the fourth-straight week at ninth.
"It has been really positive and impressive," said senior captain Chris Andaur. "We have already eclipsed last year's win total and we are undefeated in conference. We are hoping for more big things for the rest of the season."
After tallying a marker against the Thundering Herd, freshman Kevan George (Decatur, Ga.) continues to lead UCF in scoring with four goals and eight points this season. Sophomore Yaron Bacher (Atlanta, Ga.) leads the team in assists with 24 shots and three helpers in 2008.
Sophomore goalkeeper Sean Johnson (Lilburn, Ga.) anchors a defensive unit that has posted three shutouts this season and allowed just two goals in the team's five wins. The defense also includes a starting backline of seniors Bryan Collier (Fayetteville, Ga.) and Ryan Roushandel (Atlanta, Ga.) and freshmen Matt Heffernan (Camp Hill, Pa.) and Camilo Rendon (Miami, Fla.).
FIU enters the contest with a 1-6-2 record this season, including 0-1-0 in C-USA games. The Golden Panthers opened their league slate with a 2-0 loss at 23rd-ranked South Carolina Saturday.
Junior Juan Guerra leads FIU with four goals, nine points and 31 shots this season. He is the lone Golden Panther with more than nine shot attempts.
"I have a lot of respect for them," said Andaur, who started his collegiate career at FIU and roomed with Guerra. "All bets are off, it is a conference game and we just have to go out and win. Guerra was named C-USA Offensive Player of the Year in the preseason so if there is one player to watch it is definitely him."
The Golden Panthers lead the all-time series with UCF 24-8-3, including a 3-2 win in Miami on Oct. 10, 2007.
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.