Aug. 22, 2011
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By Jordean Matthews
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - After finishing the 2010 season 12-5-3 and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history, the UCF's men's soccer team begins the regular season ranked No. 19 in Soccer America's preseason poll.
"It is a great feeling to be recognized but we are excited to start the regular season," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "Here is where we will get to see where we are as a team and how far we can go."
The Black and Gold was one of only two Conference USA teams in the Top 25, with SMU ranked No. 7.
UCF begins its regular season with many honors including rankings by Goal.com, College Soccer News and TopDrawerSoccer.com. The Black and Gold were also picked to finish second in C-USA play after finishing the 2010 season in the same slot.
UCF seniors Kevan George (No. 7) and Warren Creavalle (No. 15) were selected as two of the top upperclassmen in the nation on TopDrawerSoccer.com's "Joe's Big Board." Creavalle was also named to the 2011 men's MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List.
The Knights began the preseason Aug. 17 in a 2-2 tie against Tampa before they hosted St. Leo on Aug. 20, which also ended in a tie, 1-1.
In the draw against Tampa junior Nik Robson (Auckland, New Zealand) scored both goals for UCF, the first of which came midway through the first half off of a penalty kick. Robson went 4-for-4 with penalty kicks and finished last season with 11 goals, nine assists and a team high 31 points.
In Saturday's game against St. Leo senior Cameron Cooksey (Marietta, Ga.) collected his first goal of the preseason scoring UCF's lone goal. Cooksey finished last season with six goals and three assists for 15 points.
The Knights start the regular season on Aug. 26 at Jacksonville beginning at 7 p.m. before returning home for a three-game stretch. UCF's first home game of the season is on Sept. 2 against UMass at 7 p.m. Individual game tickets for the entire season are $5 for adults and $3 for faculty/staff, youth and seniors. Admission is free for UCF students with valid school ID.
The 2011 Gold Pass is on sale now and can be purchased online at UCFAthletics.com, over the phone by calling (407) UCF-1000 or by visiting the Bright House Networks Stadium Ticket Office.