Oct. 29, 2010
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By Pat Salvas
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The No. 18 UCF men's soccer team dropped its first game at the UCF Soccer Complex this season with a 2-1 loss to UAB Friday night. The Knights fell behind early, but managed to tie the score in the second half before falling to the Blazers. The loss snaps the nine-game unbeaten streak for the Black and Gold and drops its record to 10-3-2 overall and 4-1-2 in Conference USA play.
The Blazers improve to 9-5-1overall and 3-3 in league play.
"It's not easy losing," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "I give UAB a lot of credit for playing so hard for 90 minutes and earning the win."
The two goals allowed marked the first time this season that UCF had surrendered multiple goals in a home game. Entering the match, the Knights had outscored opponents 18-1 on their home field, with five shutouts in six previous games at the UCF Soccer Complex.
The Knights fell behind in the third minute as Blazers' midfielder Kevin Sawchak put a rebound into the far corner after the initial shot from Victor Sambade ricocheted off a UCF defender in the box.
UCF answered back with a quick goal to start the second half. A.J. Nelson (Ponte Vedra, Fla.) pushed the ball up field and took a shot that bounced off the back leg of a defender at the top of the box. Sophomore Nik Robson (Auckland, New Zealand), who was following Nelson and the play, immediately shot the loose ball between two defenders into the left corner of the net for his eighth goal of the season.
Just over five minutes later, Sawchak scored his second of the contest and third of the year with a shot from 25 yards out. Sawchak's shot deflected off a defender in the box and found its way into the back of the net for the eventual game-winner.
The Knights fought back with several scoring chances in the final 10 minutes of play. The Black and Gold looked as if it had tied the game with a goal in the 86th minute before having the tally called back on an offside signal.
UCF controlled play, outshooting UAB, 21-7, in the game. The Blazers' defense blocked several shots or forced the Knights to fire wide on several occasions, but the play of Carl Woszczynski in goal was the difference in the game. The UAB goalkeeper made six saves in the game, including four in the first half to stop the UCF attack.
"We had a lot of scoring chances and it's just unfortunate that we could not finish," Cunningham added. "We have to regroup and finish our home schedule strong."
The Knights will conclude their final homestand of the season with a 1 p.m. game Tuesday, Nov. 2 against North Florida. UCF will wrap up the regular season and C-USA play with a game at Tulsa on Nov. 7.