Nov. 13, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - After posting its first-ever Conference USA Tournament victory Wednesday, the UCF men's soccer team is set to square off with second-seeded Kentucky in the semifinals on Friday at 6 p.m. on the campus of SMU in Dallas, Texas. A spot in the nationally televised championship game on Sunday will be on the line for the Knights and the Wildcats.
"It is going to be a battle," UCF head coach Bryan Cunningham said about the game. "Kentucky is a well-coached team and they have been on a great run these last few weeks. I know our players are ready and looking forward to the challenge."
UCF (7-10-1), the tournament's sixth seed, advanced to the semifinals with a 1-0 shutout over Memphis on Wednesday. The Knights got a second minute goal from freshman Kyle McEntee (Boca Raton, Fla.) and held on for the victory. Sophomore keeper Sean Johnson (Lilburn, Ga.) made five saves in goal for UCF to over the century mark for the season and post his fifth shutout of the season.
UK (11-4-4) used a pair of goals from senior Michael Strong to defeat seventh-seeded Marshall 4-2 in Wednesday's first quarterfinal.
The two teams met in the regular season on Oct. 22, in Lexington, Ky., with Kentucky claiming a 2-1 victory. The Knights led for 40 minutes of the contest on a 31st minute goal from sophomore Yaron Bacher (Atlanta, Ga.), but UK scored in the 71st and 78th minutes to post the win.
UCF snapped a six-game winless streak with the victory over Memphis. The Knights are led by freshman Kevan George (Decatur, Ga.), a first-team all-conference honoree who leads the team in goals (4) and points (10). Senior Ryan Roushandel (Atlanta, Ga.) and McEntee have both chipped in three goals each.
The Wildcats are as hot as any team in the field and will enter Friday's game with an eight-game unbeaten streak. Strong leads the team with nine goals and 19 points on the year.
The Knights trail in the all-time series with UK 1-4-1, with the lone victory coming on Oct. 2, 2005.
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.
2008 CONFERENCE USA CHAMPIONSHIP
Wednesday, November 12 (Quarterfinals)
Match 1 - (2) Kentucky 4, (7) Marshall 2
Match 2 - (6) UCF 1, (3) Memphis 0
Match 3 - (1) Tulsa 4, (8) UAB 2
Match 4 - (5) South Carolina 3, (4) SMU 0
Friday, November 14 (Semifinals)
Match 5 - Kentucky vs. UCF - 6 p.m.
Match 6 - Tulsa vs. South Carolina - 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 16 (Finals)
Match 7 - Semifinal Winners - 2 p.m. (CBS C)