Dec. 1, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF men's soccer team recently concluded the 2008 season, one which saw second-year head coach Bryan Cunningham's Knights make significant improvements from the previous season. The 2008 season saw a UCF team with 17 freshmen post a 7-11-1 record and advance to the semifinals of the C-USA Tournament. Here is a look back at some of the highlights from the season.
Team Notes
- With a 7-11-1 record, UCF won its most games since the 2005 team went 7-8-1.
- UCF had a 3-4-1 C-USA record, and the Knight's three conference wins tied the 2006 team for the program's most in league play.
- Finishing in a four-way tie for third place, UCF claimed its highest finish in the final league standings since joining Conference USA.
- The Knights defeated third-seeded Memphis 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the C-USA Tournament, the program's first conference tourney win.
- The defensive unit decreased its goals allowed per game from 2.22 in 2007 to 1.30 in 2008. The Knights also had five shutouts compared to just two the previous season.
- UCF's home attendance average increased from 216 in 2007 to 472 in 2008, a percentage increase of 118 percent.
Individual Notes
- Freshman Kevan George led the team in both goals (4) and points (10) and was the lone freshman in the league to earn a spot on the All-Conference USA first team. - George also earned a spot on the C-USA All-Freshman team.
- Senior Ryan Roushandel (Atlanta, Ga.) was named to both the C-USA All-Conference second team and the Conference USA All-Academic Team for the second-straight season. Roushandel moved to defender and scored three goals.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Sean Johnson (Lilburn, Ga.) was named the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 8, 2008.
- SoccerFla.com named both Johnson (Sept. 8) and George (Sept. 15) Player of the Week this season.
- Johnson finished the season with 108 saves, tying him for the third-highest total in school history and giving the sophomore the most saves since 1986.
- The 6-4 Johnson set a new team record for saves at the UCF Soccer Complex, stopping 14 shots in goal for the Knights on Oct. 25, against SMU. The total also tied for the sixth-highest single-game total in the program's history and the most for a Knight in a Conference USA game.
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.