Nov. 5, 2011
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By Jenna Marina
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFathletics.com) - Midfielder Kevan George couldn't have scripted his senior night any sweeter. George scored the game-winner against Marshall to lift the No. 13 UCF men's soccer team to its 10th win of the season on Saturday night.
With the 2-0 victory over the Thundering Herd, the Knights (10-4-3, 4-3-1) posted back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time since joining Conference USA.
"We've got a fine team," UCF Head Coach Bryan Cunningham said. "We're finally getting healthy and that is big going into the tournament. Bouncing back today was big. It was our third game in seven days, and to get a shutout against a good Marshall team is huge. We are pretty confident going into next week."
The first half was relatively quiet with the exception of two saves from Marshall goalkeeper Daniel Withrow. George made some noise less than four minutes into the second half when freshman Leonardo Ayala found him nearly 40 yards out on the left side, and the senior booted it past Withrow for his first goal of the season to put UCF on the board.
The Knights added an insurance goal 61 minutes into the game after Marshall committed a handball foul inside the box, setting up UCF with a penalty kick. Junior Nik Robson converted the opportunity for his ninth goal of the year. UCF nearly scored again with less than 22 minutes remaining in the game when A.J. Nelson passed the ball to McKauly Tulloch on a breakaway, but Withrow came up with a diving save.
The Knights finished with a 9-3 shot advantage, and also had a 6-2 edge in corner kicks.
The match was played in front of a spirited crowd of over 600 spectators.
Prior to the game, George and fellow seniors Cameron Cooksey, Chris Feigenbaum, Warren Creavalle and Spencer Scott were all honored.
The Knights will travel to Tulsa, Okla., for the Conference USA Championship held Nov. 9-13.