Sept. 18, 2011
Final Stats
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. (UCFAthletics.com) - The 8th-ranked UCF men's soccer team blanked American, 2-0, Sunday at Reeves Field to continue its unbeaten start to the 2011 campaign. The Knights improved to 6-0-1 with the victory, and have now posted UCF's best start to a season since the program moved to the Division I ranks in 1984.
The Knights grabbed a 1-0 lead 25 minutes in the match when junior Nik Robson (Auckland, New Zealand) scored on a free kick from 25 yards out. Junior Malcolm Reed (Summerville, S.C.) scored at the 72-minute mark to put the match out of reach. Senior Cameron Cooksey (Marietta, Ga.) and sophomore Kyle Cox (Orlando, Fla.) assisted on the score.
UCF outshot American (1-6-1) 13-11 during the match. The Knights' goalkeeper, junior Shawn Doyle (Fort Myers, Fla.), turned away three shots.
"I am proud of our effort," UCF head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "We didn't play well at times. You have to give a lot of credit to American. But our guys persevered. We posted a shutout on the road, and that is crucial moving forward."
The contest was the third-straight away from Orlando for the Knights. UCF tied host George Mason, 1-1, Friday in Virginia. The Knights have recorded 18 goals this season, compared to only five for their opponents.
Cunningham was especially pleased with the play of his back line Sunday.
"The back four did a real good job. Andrew Quintana has been special back there. He is a fierce leader who keeps us organized. And Shawn kept the ball out of the net."
Robson registered six shots during the match. His goal was his third of the season.
UCF will return to action Friday, hosting Florida Gulf Coast. The Knights have not played at home since Sept. 7.