Oct. 8, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Visiting Florida International (2-6-2, 1-1-0 C-USA) scored twice in the last 12 minutes, including the game-winner by Chris Caporaletti in the 90th minute, to steal a 2-1 victory from UCF (5-5-0, 2-1-0 C-USA) in men's soccer action Wednesday at the UCF Soccer Complex. The loss was the Knights first at home and first in league play this season.
With the game tied less than a minute from regulation, Caporaletti took a pass in the box from teammate Juan Guerra and scored in close for the game-winner.
"It is tough when you are at home and have the lead with 10 minutes to go and you wind up giving two goals up," said head coach Bryan Cunningham. "We have a young team and have to learn to play until the last whistle and unfortunately we didn't play 90 minutes today."
Guerra had tied the score in the 79th minute just 10 minutes earlier with a bullet to the far post from 15 yards out just passed a diving Sean Johnson (Lilburn, Ga.) in goal. The unassisted marker was the fifth of the season for Guerra, the C-USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. He finished the contest with seven shots.
"[Guerra] scored a great goal, and that is what he is capable of doing when you leave him unchecked," said Cunningham. "Hats off to FIU, they played a good game there in the second half, and they deserved it."
FIU held a 22-11 shot advantage for the game, including a 15-7 edge in the second half as the Golden Panthers were furiously trying to get back in the game.
Sophomore Yaron Bacher (Atlanta, Ga.) fired a team-high five shots for the Knights, including two shots on goal. Senior captain Chris Andaur (Naples, Fla.) also had two shots on goal.
Johnson stopped seven shots in goal for the Knights while Fullerton earned the win with five stops for FIU.
Pressured by the UCF offense, it was FIU's defense who got the scoring started going in the opening half when a Knights' cross went off the head of a FIU defender and over the head of keeper Jesse Fullerton to make the score 1-0 in the 14th minute.
"When you win you are never as good as you think you are, and when you lose you are never as bad as you think you are," said Cunningham. "The beauty of our game is we get to turn around and play again on Saturday night, and we just have to regroup and learn from it."
The Knights play the middle game of a three-game homestand on Saturday, hosting UAB for another Conference USA tilt at 7 p.m. at the UCF Soccer Complex.
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)
FIU (2-6-2, 1-1-0 C-USA) vs UCF (5-5-0, 2-1-0 C-USA)
Orlando, Fla. (UCF Soccer Complex)
Date: Oct. 8, 2008 Attendance: 347
Weather: 76, windy
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
FIU.......................0 2 - 2
UCF.......................1 0 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 13:05 UCF Own Goal
2. 78:34 FIU GUERRA, Juan (5) (unassisted) - beat defender to outside of box; shot to far post
3. 89:25 FIU CAPORALETTI, Chris (1) (Juan Guerra) - shot in close
Shots: FIU 22, UCF 11
Saves: FIU 5 (Jesse Fullerton 5) UCF 7 (Sean Johnson 7)
Corner kicks: FIU 6, UCF 8
Offsides: FIU 0, UCF 1
Fouls: FIU 15, UCF 14