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By Pat Salvas
UCFAthletics.com
WILMINGTON, N.C. (UCFAthletics.com) - After blanking its competition through the first two games of the season, the UCF men's soccer team fell to No. 24 UNC-Wilmington, 1-0, Friday night at the Courtyard by Marriot/UNCW Classic. The loss drops the Knights' overall record to 2-1, while the host Seahawks improve to 2-1 with the one-goal win.
"This was not the result we wanted," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "We gave up the early goal and had the scoring chances to tie the game, but couldn't get the equalizer."
It took just over nine minutes for UNCW's Etienne Boulanger to beat UCF goalkeeper Shawn Doyle for the game's lone goal. Boulanger scored from the top of the box after being set up by a volley pass from Daniel Roberts.
The goal ended Doyle's streak of 189:09 consecutive minutes to start the season without allowing a marker.
That would be the last shot on goal for the Seahawks in the game as the Knights' defense continued its trend of limiting their opponents' offensive pressure.
Despite attempting nine shots in the game, UCF was only able to register one shot on goal. Coming into the contest, the Knights' offense was averaging four and a half goals a game.
UNCW's Brock Duckworth turned aside the only shot on goal he faced in 90 minutes of action. Yaron Bacher was the lone UCF player to get a shot through the Seahawk defense and make its way on goal.
Bacher and Camilo Rendon did their best to try and even the score, as both led all players with two shot attempts. However, the UCF bid to tie the game fell short as the team suffered its first loss of 2010.
"I give UNCW a lot of credit for battling all the way to the end," Cunningham added. "We will put this game behind us and move forward to focus on Long Island on Sunday afternoon."
UCF will return to action in its second game of the weekend in Wilmington on Sunday. The Knights and Blackbirds will meet for a 1 p.m. kickoff.