Aug. 23, 2010
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By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - In its second scrimmage of the preseason, the UCF men's soccer team scored five first-half goals en route to a 5-0 victory over Tampa Monday evening in front of about 250 fans. Sophomore Nicholas Keown-Robson delivered two goals and two assists in the first 45 minutes alone.
The Knights are now 1-0-1 in the preseason, including a 1-1 tie on the road against the College of Charleston Aug. 21.
"As pleased as I was about our movement going forward in creating scoring chances and finishing them, I was more pleased with the fact that we limited them to three shots on goal and were able to stifle their attack," said head coach Bryan Cunningham. "Coming back on one day of rest from playing at the College of Charleston Saturday, I was happy with every player's commitment to fixing any mistakes we made Saturday night and applying themselves tonight in all areas."
In goal for UCF, sophomore Shawn Doyle started Monday and split time with freshman Sebastian Evers. Doyle finished with two saves on the night, while Evers posted one stop.
The Black and Gold's attack went right to work but its first few shots went off target. Yet then with 15:48 left in the first half, Keown-Robson sent a shot on goal that was saved, however Spencer Scott was there for the rebound and hammered it home for the 1-0 lead. Just a couple minutes later, the advantage stretched to 2-0 when Keown-Robson delivered a cross from the left side from 20 yards out and Scott headed it home.
The goals continued when Kevan George found a loose ball right in front and hit the back of the net with 10:07 to go. To complete the first-half scoring, Keown-Robson wanted to light up the scoreboard as well, and did just that with a pair of goals. With just under six minutes showing, he dribbled into the left side of the box, sent the ball through a defender's legs and easily beat the keeper far side. And he pushed it to 5-0 with less than a minute showing by ripping a shot from 28 yards that bended from left to right and into the top-right corner.
The Knights continued their pressure in the second half, and while both teams had scoring opportunities, the defenses stood up and kept the score at 5-0.
UCF will have one more scrimmage before opening the regular season Sept. 1, as the Knights will host Saint Leo Saturday at 6 p.m.